According to new research presented at the November, 2002 American Heart Association meeting in Chicago by Professor Roger Corder, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary, University of London, some components of grape seeds and grape skins, identified as procyanidins, have been shown to inhibit the synthesis of endothelin-1, a vascular hormone known to play a key role in many of the processes underlying vascular dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis. The news is significant because it indicates polyphenols may be beneficial for more than their well-researched antioxidant properties.

Dr. Corder previously examined similar effects of purified procyanidins extracted from red wines. "The exciting news is that these tests were conducted on the commercial grape seed extract produced by Polyphenolics as MegaNatural® Gold grape seed extract. Our estimates suggest that an effective daily dose would be 400 mg. of this extract."

Polyphenolics, a division of Canandaigua Wine Company, manufactures, markets and sells ingredients for the pharmaceutical, nutritional and beverage industries. For more information call (574) 243-9825, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

Media note: For further information, or to schedule an interview with a Polyphenolics spokesperson, please contact Mike Danielson or Sara Clark at Media Relations, Inc. at (800) 999-4859, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., Central Time.

Biography – Roger Corder, Ph.D., MRPharmS

Roger Corder is Professor of Experimental Therapeutics at the William Harvey Research Institute (part of Barts & the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London).

After training as a pharmacist, he pursued a post graduate career in research with an MSc degree in pharmacology and Ph.D. training in endocrinology. For more than 20 years, he has been studying the hormonal regulation of vascular function.

Professor Corder is a world-recognized authority on the regulation of endothelin synthesis in the vasculature, and has published some key papers in this area, and contributed chapters to books that summarize this important area of vascular function. This interest led Professor Corder and his research group to study whether red wine could inhibit endothelin synthesis.

Professor Corder is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. He is also a member of a number of professional bodies including the Society of Endocrinology, British Pharmacological Society, American Heart Association (High Blood Pressure Research Council, and Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Council), and American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

He serves on a number of committees reviewing and awarding research grants, including being a member of the Advisory Board of the Medical Research Council, and Chairman of the Management Committee of the William Harvey Research Foundation.

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