Biol. Pharm. Bull. 28(4) 754—756 (2005)

have been known to decrease the platelet aggregation, oxidation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterols and endothelin synthesis and promote nitric oxide production. Indeed, red wine and/or grape juice have been demonstrated to prevent coronary heart disease in the epidemiological and clinical studies. Based on the information, a new beverage made of red wine vinegar and grape juice (Budo-nomegumi) has been recently developed for people who wish to get significant amount of grape polyphenols without taking alcohol. A previous study indicated that single oral administration of the beverage (3 ml/kg) exerts hypotensive and bradycardiac effects in human as well as the in vivo rat model. However, there is no information regarding the mechanism of hypotensive action by the beverage itself. In this study, we assessed the effects of the beverage on the isolated thoracic aorta of rats using the pharmacological method to clarify the mechanism.