A number of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that moderate consumption of red wine is associated with a reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases. Although ethanol may contribute to the health benefits of red wine, there is strong evidence that these effects are mainly due to the anti-oxidative action of polyphenols. Similarly, it is increasingly recognized that (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids [(n-3)-PUFA] have positive effects on risk factors for coronary heart disease. A reason for the insufficient intake of (n-3)-PUFA is low consumption of oily fish, the richest source of these FA. An alternative source of n3-PUFA is α-linolenic acid which is contained in high concentrations in Perilla oil derived from the seeds of the plant Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt.. Based on these observations, TUIM® arteria, a combination of an extract from red grapes (100mg/capsule) and perilla oil (450mg/capsule) has been developed as a dietary food for special medical purposes, i.e. for patients with metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia or diabetes. It was the aim of the present study to examine if the proposed beneficial effects can be demonstrated in animal models of atherosclerosis: 1) experimental atherosclerosis in genetically susceptible C57BL/6J mice and 2) mice with experimental endothelial dysfunction and fed an atherogenic diet. Animals were fed daily for up to 6 months with 250 or 750mg/kg TUIM® arteria by gavage which is equivalent to the consumption recommendation in humans. Administration of TUIM® arteria significantly decreased the serum concentrations of malondialdehyde as well as total and LDL-cholesterol in both animal models. In addition, the development of atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta was reduced. The results demonstrate that consumption of TUIM® arteria induces favorable changes in the lipoprotein profile and exerts antioxidative activity which correlate with risk reduction for the development of fibro-fatty atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta.
