A possible subcellular mechanism underlying the “French paradox”: the opening of mitochondrial KATP channels

Abstract

A reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease has been associated to moderate red wine consumption. We tested whether a nonalcoholic red wine extract would open mitochondrial KATP channels in guinea pig myocytes. The opening of mitochondrial KATP channels was assessed by endogenous flavoprotein fluorescence. Red wine extract (100 μg·mL–1) increased flavoprotein oxidation (10.9% ± 1.2%, n = 20). This effect was prevented by the mitochondrial KATP channel blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate (500 µmol·L–1; 0.3% ± 1.1%, n = 13), confirming the hypothesis that red wine extract opens mitochondrial KATP channels.