'Zaoheibao' (a red tetraploid hybrid) and 'Wuhecuibao' (a white triploid hybrid) grapes have been obtained from Guibao ♀ (diploid, Vitis vinifera) x Zaomeigui ♂ (diploid, V. vinifera) and Guibao ♀ (diploid, V. vinifera) x Wuhebaijixin♂ (triploid, V. vinifera) respectively. Aroma characterisation of the two new table grape cultivars was firstly done by the investigation of volatile compounds. The influence of greenhouse cultivation and vintage on berry aroma was studied as well. The results showed that linalool, decanal, β-damascenone, hexanal and (E)-2-hexenal were the main volatile compounds of the two cultivars, which meant that the floral, fruity and sweet odour were prominent, followed by the herbaceous aroma. Greenhouse cultivation enhanced herbaceous odour in both 'Wuhecuibao' and 'Zaoheibao' berries, and reduced the floral aroma, contributed mainly by β-damascenone, in 'Wuhecuibao', and the sweet aroma, represented mainly by linalool, in 'Zaoheibao'. The concentrations of the main aroma compounds were greatly affected by vintage and the intensity of sensorial perception was correspondingly changed, but varietal odour attributes were not significantly altered. These results will not only help promote the cultivation and popularisation of these cultivars, but also will provide valuable data for the use of these cultivars in future breeding.

Proanthocyanidins in grape berries are synthesised mainly before véraison, and very little attention is paid to the evolution of proanthocyanidins (PAs) in grapes from véraison to harvest. The present study focused on the changes of flavan-3-ols with different degrees of polymerisation in grape skins and the difference in proanthocyandin composition of 'Shiraz', 'Cabernet Sauvignon' and 'Marselan' grapes (Vitis vinifera L.). The results show that the content of flavan-3-ols, the percentage of prodelphinidins (%P) and mean degree polymerisation (mDP) found in 'Cabernet Sauvignon' berry skins at post-véraison were higher than those in 'Shiraz' and 'Marselan' skins. Only monomelic, dimeric, trimeric and polymeric flavan-3-ols were detected in the three grape cultivars. Polymers with more than tenfold flavan-3-ol units accounted for a relatively high proportion in grape berry skins, and the content in the three cultivars declined continuously during ripening. Principal component analysis showed that proanthocyanidin content, composition and mDP at grape harvest stage depended strongly on grape cultivar. This study provides some useful information for understanding the accumulation of PAs during berry maturation and this information can be used to improve wine quality.

The products and the related gene expression of flavonoid metabolism were examined in the skin and pulp of Yan73 (Vtis vinifera L. cv.) grapes, a teinturier variety cultivated in China, and the data were compared with those in the skin and pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L. cv.) grapes, a well-known red variety. The results showed that, in comparison with the skins of Cabernet Sauvignon, the skins of Yan73 berries were characterised by fewer types of flavonols and anthocyanins, a higher level of flavonoids, and a much lower percentage of 3'-hydroxylated flavonols. Flavonoid metabolism was also present in the pulp of Yan73, and the percentages of 3'-hydroxylated flavonols and 3'-hydroxylated flavan-3-ols were significantly higher than the percentages of their corresponding 3',5'-hydroxylated forms. Only flavan-3-ols were found in the pulp of Cabernet Sauvignon. The expression of VvmybAl exhibited a co-ordination with the accumulation of anthocyanins in the pulp of the teinturier cultivar, which showed great similarity to that in the skin. A good correlation was found between the expression of VvF3'H and 3'-hydroxylated flavonoids, as well as between the expression of VvF3'5'H and 3',5'-hydroxylated flavonoids in the skin and pulp of the grape berries. It is suggested that tissue-specific accumulation of flavonoids in grape berries is related to the transcriptional expression of VvF3'H and VvF3'5'H.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible inflammatory effect of Ang II on glomerular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism. We isolated and characterized primary cultures of rat glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and observed that Ang II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in GECs as demonstrated by Western blot. Ang II stimulation, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 µm, of rat GECs induced a rapid increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species as indicated by laser fluoroscopy. The level of p47phox protein, an NAD(P)H oxidase subunit, was also increased by Ang II treatment. These effects of Ang II on GECs were all reduced by diphenyleneiodonium (1.0 µm), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor. Ang II stimulation also promoted the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Telmisartan (1.0 µm), an AT1 receptor blocker, blocked all the effects of Ang II on rat GECs. These data suggest that the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent NF-κB signaling reduces the increase in MCP-1 production by GECs induced by Ang II. This may provide a mechanistic basis for the benefits of selective AT1 blockade in dealing with chronic renal disease.