Resveratrol Increases Vascular Oxidative Stress Resistance.
American Journal of Physiology - Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2007 January 12
Epidemiological studies suggest that the intake of resveratrol is associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease. The authors were interested in learning more about the exact mechanism of the protective action of resveratrol. They tried to find out if resveratrol could inhibit endothelial apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. They found that resveratrol inhibited the increase in caspase 3/7 activity (caspases are proteases which are essential for apoptosis). The addition of a glutathione peroxidase inhibitor partially reversed the effect of resveratrol, suggesting that resveratrol acted on the antioxidant systems. Treatment with resveratrol protected endothelial cells against oxidative stress induced by exogenous hydrogen peroxide, paraquat and ultraviolet light. The authors concluded that resveratrol seems to increase vascular oxidative stress resistance by scavenging hydrogen peroxide and preventing endothelial apoptosis induced by oxidative stress.
The red wine antioxidant resveratrol prevents cardiomyocyte injury following ischemia-reperfusion via multiple sites and mechanisms.
Antioxidants and Redox Signaling. 2007 Jan;9(1):101-13
The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of resveratrol on damage to muscle cells of heart muscle tissue following ischemia-reperfusion injury. The researchers found that resveratrol acted by suppression of superoxide levels and activation of potassium channels. Resveratrol reduced damage caused by reactive oxygen species, improved the recovery of contractile function and improved vasodilatation. Previous evidence indicates that resveratrol elicits potent preconditioning in the heart. Resveratrol also showed also a protective effect when administered after the myocardial ischemic event.
Resveratrol attenuates TNF-alpha-induced activation of coronary arterial endothelial cells: role of NF-kappaB inhibition.
American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology. 2006 October;291(4):H1694-9
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which resveratrol exerts its cardioprotective action. Previous epidemiological studies show that the typical Mediterranean diet, which is rich in the phytochemical resveratrol, is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. High levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induce endothelial activation and vascular inflammation, resulting in vascular aging and atherogenesis. The researchers found that resveratrol reduced the TNF-alpha mediated adhesion of monocytes to the blood vessel walls. Endothelial cells treated with resveratrol significantly suppressed the production of inflammatory markers. The study concluded that cardioprotective effects of resveratrol are, at least in part, explained by its anti-inflammatory action.
Resveratrol inhibits aggregation of platelets from high-risk cardiac patients with aspirin resistance.
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 2006 August;48(2):1-5
In some heart patients, aspirin fails to suppress platelet aggregation (these patients are called aspirin-resistant). The researchers of this study tested their theory, that resveratrol can inhibit platelet aggregation, on platelets from both aspirin-resistant and aspirin-sensitive patients. The aggregation was induced by to adenosine diphosphate, collagen or epinephrine. They found that resveratrol effectively inhibited collagen- and epinephrine-induced aggregation of platelets from aspirin-resistant patients. Resveratrol may have a cardioprotective effects in some heart patients.
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