French Paradox: A Role for Akt Activation

PolyphenolPolyphenols components of red wineRed wine have notable antioxidantAntioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, they interact with many intracellular signalingIntracellular signaling pathways that mediate fundamental cellular processes like survival and death, differentiation, proliferation and senescence. Although polyphenolsPolyphenols have poor solubility and low bioavailability, they may accumulate in tissues and may act synergistically, therefore can account for the beneficial biological effects that are attributed to them. One of the most efficient cytoprotective pathways, the Akt signaling pathway, was demonstrated to exert massive protective effect in cardiovascular diseasesCardiovascular diseases. This chapter attempts to provide a summary about polyphenol components of red wineRed wine, their effects on the cardiovascular system and their interaction with intracellular signalingIntracellular signaling mechanisms with special interest on the Akt pathway.