C. Argyrou, S. Antonopoulou, CA. Demopoulos, G. Kolovou, E. Fragopoulou
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, the underlying mechanism of cardiovascular diseases is a multifactorial process including several cellular and molecular alterations. Haemostasis is thought to play a crucial role in the onset and perpetuation of atherosclerosis and is characterized by a delicate balance that exists between four major components: the vascular endothelium, platelets, the coagulation pathways and fibrinolysis. Many epidemiological studies confirm an inverse relationship between light to moderate alcohol consumption and cardiovascular events and most of them have suggested the superiority of wine among alcoholic beverages. Under this perspective, studies have been implemented in order to investigate the effect of acute or chronic wine consumption on biochemical markers associated with cardiovascular diseases. In this review, emphasis will be given in the effect of chronic wine consumption on haemostatic system.
Keywords: wine, atherosclerosis, haemostasis, platelet aggregation, coagulation, fibrinolysis