Resveratrol in cardiovascular health and disease

Resveratrol supplementation improves metabolic control in rats with induced hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes

Resveratrol was recognized as the major factor responsible for the beneficial properties of red wine. Several resveratrol-based dietary supplements are available, but their efficacy has not been sufficiently tested. This study was designed to examine the effect of resveratrol supplementation, using a commercially available product, on the metabolic status of experimental animals with induced hyperlipidemia or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding the rats a standard pellet diet supplemented with cholesterol. T2DM was induced by adding 10% fructose to drinking water and streptozotocin. Treatment with resveratrol-based supplement improved glycemic control in diabetic animals and significantly decreased serum low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels, concurrently increasing the high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) levels in animals with hyperlipidemia. Resveratrol-treated animals had improved tolerance to glucose loading. Supplementation did not induce alterations in parameters of liver and renal function. Findings indicate that commercial resveratrol supplement improves metabolic control in rats with induced hyperlipidemia and T2DM.

Biotechnological Advances in Resveratrol Production and its Chemical Diversity

The very well-known bioactive natural product, resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), is a highly studied secondary metabolite produced by several plants, particularly grapes, passion fruit, white tea, and berries. It is in high demand not only because of its wide range of biological activities against various kinds of cardiovascular and nerve-related diseases, but also as important ingredients in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. Due to its very low content in plants, multi-step isolation and purification processes, and environmental and chemical hazards issues, resveratrol extraction from plants is difficult, time consuming, impracticable, and unsustainable. Therefore, microbial hosts, such as Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Corynebacterium glutamicum, are commonly used as an alternative production source by improvising resveratrol biosynthetic genes in them. The biosynthesis genes are rewired applying combinatorial biosynthetic systems, including metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, while optimizing the various production processes. The native biosynthesis of resveratrol is not present in microbes, which are easy to manipulate genetically, so the use of microbial hosts is increasing these days. This review will mainly focus on the recent biotechnological advances for the production of resveratrol, including the various strategies used to produce its chemically diverse derivatives.

Resveratrol attenuates endothelial oxidative injury by inducing autophagy via the activation of transcription factor EB

Background

Endothelial oxidative injury is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). Resveratrol (RSV) attenuates the oxidative injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Autophagy is critical for the RSV-induced protective effects. However, the exact underlying mechanisms haven’t been completely elucidated. Thus, we aimed to explore the role of autophagy of the anti-oxidation of RSV and the underlying mechanism in palmitic acid (PA)-stimulated HUVECs.

Methods

HUVECs were pretreated with 10 μM of RSV for 2 h and treated with 200 μM of PA for an additional 24 h. Cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated with a microplate reader and confocal microscope. Autophagosomes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, while lysosomes by confocal microscopy. The expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and related genes were quantified by qRT-PCR assay. Furthermore, TFEB levels, autophagy, and lysosomes were examined by western blot assay.

Results

RSV pretreatment suppressed the PA-induced decline in cell viability and elevation in ROS and MDA levels in HUVECs. RSV pretreatment also increased LC3 production and P62 degradation while promoted the autophagosomes formation. However, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment attenuated RSV-induced autophagy. RSV pretreatment upregulated the TFEB and TFEB-modulated downstream genes expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, in cells transfected with TFEB small interfering RNA, RSV-induced TFEB expression and subsequent autophagy were abolished. Meanwhile, the TFEB-modulated genes expression, the lysosomes formation and the RSV-induced anti-oxidation were suppressed.

Conclusions

In HUVECs, RSV attenuates endothelial oxidative injury by inducing autophagy in a TFEB-dependent manner.

Potential health benefits of phenolic compounds in grape processing by-products

Prevention emerges as a powerful approach in minimizing the risk of deleterious lifestyle diseases because therapies do not necessarily guarantee a permanent cure. Accordingly, consumers' growing preference for natural and health-promoting dietary options that are rich in antioxidants has become widespread. Grape (Vitis vinifera) is an antioxidant-rich fruit extensively grown for fresh or processed consumption. The long-term consumption of its polyphenolic antioxidants may promote multiple health benefits. However, grape pomace (GP), consisting of peel, seed, stem, and pulp, is discarded during grape processing, including juice extraction and winemaking, despite its substantial antioxidant content. Polyphenolic extraction techniques have been widely explored to date, but the consolidation of reported physiological impacts of GP-derived polyphenolic constituents is limited. Thus, this review highlights current studies of the potential applications of GP extract in disease prevention and treatment, emphasizing the major influence of polyphenolic compositions and origins of different grape varieties.

Resveratrol inhibits cancer cell proliferation by impairing oxidative phosphorylation and inducing oxidative stress

The resveratrol (RSV) efficacy to affect the proliferation of several cancer cell lines was initially examined. RSV showed higher potency to decrease growth of metastatic HeLa and MDA-MB-231 (IC₅₀ = 200-250 μM) cells than of low metastatic MCF-7, SiHa and A549 (IC₅₀ = 400-500 μM) and non-cancer HUVEC and 3T3 (IC₅₀≥600 μM) cells after 48 h exposure. In order to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying RSV anti-cancer effects, the energy metabolic pathways and the oxidative stress metabolism were analyzed in HeLa cells as metastatic-type cell model. RSV (200 μM/48 h) significantly decreased both glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) protein contents (30-90%) and fluxes (40-70%) vs. non-treated cells. RSV (100 μM/1-5 min) also decreased at a greater extent OxPhos flux (net ADP-stimulated respiration) of isolated tumor mitochondria (> 50%) than of non-tumor mitochondria (< 50%), particularly with succinate as oxidizable substrate. In addition, RSV promoted an excessive cellular ROS (2-3 times) production corresponding with a significant decrement in the SOD activity (but not in its content) and GSH levels; whereas the catalase, glutahione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities (but not their contents) remained unchanged. RSV (200 μM/48 h) also induced cellular death although not by apoptosis but rather by promoting a strong mitophagy activation (65%). In conclusion, RSV impaired OxPhos by inducing mitophagy and ROS over-production, which in turn halted metastatic HeLa cancer cell growth.

Resveratrol alleviates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury‑induced mitochondrial oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes

Resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring antioxidant compound found in red wine. Although it has been demonstrated to have a cardioprotective effect, the mechanism underlying this effect remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether RES exerts a protective effect against mitochondrial oxidative stress and apoptosis in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. Primary cultured NRCMs were used as a model system and were divided into four experimental groups: Control, H/R, H/R + DMSO (H/R with 0.2% DMSO) and H/R + RES (H/R with 100 µM RES) groups. Mitochondrial oxidative stress was determined by measuring the alteration in the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of NRCMs, the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) from NRCMs. Cell apoptosis was assessed by measuring cell apoptotic rates and the activity of caspase 3. In the H/R+RES group, RES significantly alleviated structural impairment, including disordered α-actin and F-actin, in the NRCMs induced by H/R injury. RES attenuated H/R injury-induced mitochondria oxidative stress. RES also attenuated H/R injury-induced cell apoptosis; it decreased the NRCM apoptotic rate from 84.25±7.41% (H/R) to 46.39±5.43% (H/R+RES) (P<0.05, n=4), rescued the decrease in the Bcl2/Bax ratio induced by H/R from 0.53±0.08-fold (H/R) to 0.86±0.06-fold (H/R+RES) (P<0.05, n=5) and alleviated the increased activity of caspase 3 induced by H/R from 1.32±0.06-fold to 1.02±0.04-fold (P<0.05, n=5). Furthermore, RES significantly attenuated the increment of LDH release induced by H/R injury in NRCMs from 1.41±0.03-fold (H/R) to 1.02±0.06-fold (H/R+RES) (P<0.01, n=4) and alleviated the depolarization of ΔΨm induced by H/R, shifting the ratio of JC-1 monomer from 62.39±1.82% (H/R) to 35.31±8.63% (H/R+RES) (P<0.05, n=4). RES alleviated the decrease in sirtuin 1 induced by H/R injury from 0.61±0.06-fold (H/R) to 1.01±0.05-fold (H/R+RES) (P<0.05, n=5). In conclusion, the present study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to demonstrate that RES provides cardioprotection against H/R injury through decreasing mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress injury and structural impairment in NRCMs. These results provide scientific evidence for the clinical application of RES in the treatment of cardiac conditions.

A critical review on grape polyphenols for neuroprotection: Strategies to enhance bioefficacy

The aging of populations worldwide is driving greater demands for dietary polyphenols which have been recognized as promising prophylactic and/or therapeutic agents in the context of neurodegeneration, and are ubiquitously present in plant-based diets. In particular, grape-derived products encompass a wide array of phenolic compounds purported with multiple health benefits including neuroprotective efficacy. Despite the increasing preclinical and clinical evidence demonstrating high potential of grape polyphenol (GPP)-rich botanicals in preventing and attenuating diverse neurodegenerative disorders, the limited bioavailability of GPPs, especially in the brain, generates questions as to their applications and effectiveness in neuroprotection. To address this issue, significant research efforts have been made to enhance oral bioavailability of GPPs via application of novel strategies. This review highlights some critical issues related to the bioavailability and neuroprotective efficacy of GPPs and GPP-rich botanicals. The representative bioavailability-enhancing strategies are critically reviewed to provide practical solutions for augmenting the bioefficacy of GPP-rich botanicals. Synergistic applications of encapsulation techniques (for physiochemical protection and bypassing xenobiotic metabolism) and dietary intervention strategies involving modulation of gut microbiota (for generating more bioavailable phenolic metabolites) appear promising, and may substantially enhance the bioefficacy, especially the neuroprotective efficacy, of orally consumed GPPs.

Impact of Red Wine Consumption on Cardiovascular Health

BACKGROUND

The devastating effects of heavy alcohol drinking have been long time recognized. In the last decades, potential benefits of modest red wine drinking were suggested. In European countries in which red wide intake is not negligible (such as France), the association between cholesterol and cardiovascular (CV) risk was less evident, suggesting the action of some protective molecules in red wine or other foods and drinks.

METHODS

This narrative review is based on the material searched for and obtained via PubMed up to May 2016. The search terms we used were: "red wine, cardiovascular, alcohol" in combination with "polyphenols, heart failure, infarction".

RESULTS

Epidemiological and mechanistic evidence of a J-shaped relationship between red wine intake and CV risk further supported the "French paradox". Specific components of red wine both in vitro and in animal models were discovered. Polyphenols and especially resveratrol largely contribute to CV prevention mainly through antioxidant properties. They exert beneficial effects on endothelial dysfunction and hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic diseases, thus reducing the risk of adverse CV events such as myocardial infarction ischemic stroke and heart failure. Of interest, recent studies pointed out the role of ethanol itself as a potential cardioprotective agent, but a clear epidemiological evidence is still missing. The aim of this narrative review is to update current knowledge on the intracellular mechanism underlying the cardioprotective effects of polyphenols and ethanol. Furthermore, we summarized the results of epidemiological studies, emphasizing their methodological criticisms and the need for randomized clinical trials able to clarify the potential role of red wine consumption in reducing CV risk.

CONCLUSION

Caution in avowing underestimation of the global burden of alcohol-related diseases was particularly used.

Smoke from simulated forest fire alters secondary metabolites in Vitis vinifera L. berries and wine

The exposure of Vitis vinifera L. berries to forest fire smoke changes the concentration of phenylpropanoid metabolites in berries and the resulting wine. The exposure of Vitis vinifera L. berries (i.e., wine grapes) to forest fire smoke can lead to a wine defect known as smoke taint that is characterized by unpleasant "smoky" and "ashy" aromas and flavors. The intensity of smoke taint is associated with the concentration of organoleptic volatile phenols that are produced during the combustion-mediated oxidation of lignocellulosic biomass and subsequently concentrated in berries prior to fermentation. However, these same smoke-derived volatile phenols are also produced via metabolic pathways endogenous to berries. It follows then that an influx of exogenous volatile phenols (i.e., from forest fire smoke) could alter endogenous metabolism associated with volatile phenol synthesis, which occurs via the shikimic acid/phenylpropanoid pathways. The presence of ozone and karrikins in forest fire smoke, as well as changes to stomatal conductance that can occur from exposure to forest fire smoke also have the potential to influence phenylpropanoid metabolism. This study demonstrated changes in phenylpropanoid metabolites in Pinot noir berries and wine from three vineyards following the exposure of Vitis vinifera L. vines to simulated forest fire smoke. This included changes to metabolites associated with mouth feel and color in wine, both of which are important sensorial qualities to wine producers and consumers. The results reported are critical to understanding the chemical changes associated with smoke taint beyond volatile phenols, which in turn, may aid the development of preventative and remedial strategies.

Resveratrol: from enhanced biosynthesis and bioavailability to multitargeting chronic diseases

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin with a wide range of pharmacological properties is synthesised by plants in response to stress, injury, infection or UV radiations. As it is a secondary metabolite with many health promoting properties, various methods employing microorganisms and genetic manipulation of different synthetic enzymes, have been comprehensively studied to increase its production. Its rapid metabolism and low bioavailability have been addressed by the use of bio enhancers and nano-formulations. This flavonoid is extensively researched due to its pharmacological properties such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulating effects. Knowledge of these properties of resveratrol has led to elaborate studies on its effect on diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, ageing, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. At molecular level it targets sirtuin, adenosine monophosphate kinase, nuclear Factor-κB, inflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidant enzymes along with cellular processes such as angiogenesis, apoptosis, mitochondrial biogenesis, gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism. This review discusses the properties of resveratrol and the different approaches of addressing the unfavourable synthesis and pharmacokinetics of this stilbene. Pre-clinical evaluations of resveratrol on diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular and neurological diseases are elaborately discussed and the underlying pathways involved in its therapeutic activity have been given paramount importance. Following the pre-clinical studies, clinical trials on the same reveal the efficacy of resveratrol in the effective management of these diseases. This review provides an intricate insight on resveratrol's significance from a dietary component to a therapeutic agent.

Do the Effects of Resveratrol on Thermogenic and Oxidative Capacities in IBAT and Skeletal Muscle Depend on Feeding Conditions?

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of mild energy restriction and resveratrol on thermogenic and oxidative capacity in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) and in skeletal muscle. Rats were fed a high-fat high-sucrose diet for six weeks, and divided into four experimental groups fed a standard diet: a control group, a resveratrol-treated group, an energy-restricted group and an energy-restricted group treated with resveratrol. Weights of IBAT, gastrocnemius muscle and fat depots were measured. Activities of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) and citrate synthase (CS), protein levels of sirtuin (SIRT1 and 3), uncoupling proteins (UCP1 and 3), glucose transporter (GLUT4), mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM), nuclear respiratory factor (NRF1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) and AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator (PGC1α) activation were measured. No changes in IBAT and gastrocnemius weights were found. Energy-restriction, but not resveratrol, decreased the weights of adipose depots. In IBAT, resveratrol enhanced thermogenesis activating the SIRT1/PGC1α/PPARα axis. Resveratrol also induced fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake. These effects were similar when resveratrol was combined with energy restriction. In the case of gastrocnemius muscle, the effects were not as clear as in the case of IBAT. In this tissue, resveratrol increased oxidative capacity. The combination of resveratrol and energy restriction seemingly did not improve the effects induced by the polyphenol alone.

Autophagy and oxidative stress in non-communicable diseases: A matter of the inflammatory state?

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are long-lasting conditions that affect millions of people around the world. Different factors contribute to their genesis and progression; however they share common features, which are critical for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. A persistently altered inflammatory response is typically observed in many NCDs together with redox imbalance. Additionally, dysregulated proteostasis, mainly derived as a consequence of compromised autophagy, is a common feature of several chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss the crosstalk among inflammation, autophagy and oxidative stress, and how they participate in the progression of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type II diabetes mellitus.

Resveratrol Treatment in Different Time-Attenuated Neuronal Apoptosis After Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation/Reoxygenation via Enhancing the Activation of Nrf-2 Signaling Pathway In Vitro

Recent studies have indicated that resveratrol has protective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the best therapeutic time for resveratrol treatment after acute ischemic stroke remains unknown. We aim to investigate whether resveratrol, administrated at different times after neuronal oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) reduced neuronal injury in vitro. There were six experimental groups: normal, model, resveratrol pretreatment, resveratrol post-treatment, resveratrol OGD-treatment, and resveratrol whole-processing group. We found that resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner decreased the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, resveratrol, administrated at different times, increased neuronal viability, reduced neuronal apoptosis, upregulated the protein expressions of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and Bcl-2, downregulated the protein expression of Caspase-3, and promoted Nrf-2 to transfer into the nuclei from the cytoplasm. The most effective treatment group was the whole-processing treatment group. These results suggest that resveratrol treatment at different times increased neuronal viability and inhibited neuronal apoptosis in vitro, at least in part, via enhancing the activation of the Nrf-2 signaling pathway.

Resveratrol Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction by Inhibiting Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a Pathway in a Rat Model of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of action of resveratrol (RSV) on cardiac function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis contributes to the pathogenic changes in DCM. RSV treatment inhibited high glucose-induced apoptosis of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Additionally, high glucose decreased cell viability, prevented serine-threonine kinase (Akt) and FoxO3a phosphorylation, and suppressed cytoplasmic translocation of FoxO3a. However, these effects of apoptosis were reversed by 10 μM of RSV. The PI3K inhibitor LY294002 abolished the RSV protective effect in vitro. RSV (5 or 50 mg·kg·d orally for 8 weeks) prevented the deterioration of cardiac function and structural cardiomyopathy in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes and reduced apoptosis in diabetic myocardium. Furthermore, it restored streptozotocin-impaired phosphorylation of Akt and FoxO3a (p-Akt and p-FoxO3a) and suppressed nuclear translocation of FoxO3a in vivo. Together, these data indicate that RSV has therapeutic potential against DCM by inhibiting apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a pathway.

Ion Channels Induced by Antimicrobial Agents in Model Lipid Membranes are Modulated by Plant Polyphenols Through Surrounding Lipid Media

The potential therapeutic applications of plant polyphenols in various neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic and malignant disorders determine the relevance of studying the molecular mechanisms of their action on the cell membranes. Here, the quantitative changes in the physical parameters of model bilayer lipid membranes upon the adsorption of plant polyphenols were evaluated. It was shown that butein and naringenin significantly decreased the intrinsic dipole potential of cholesterol-free and cholesterol-enriched membranes. Cardamonin, 4'-hydroxychalcone, licochalcone A and liquiritigenin demonstrated the average efficiency, while resveratrol did not characterized by the ability to modulate the bilayer electrostatics. At the same time, the tested polyphenols affected melting of phospholipids with saturated acyl chains. The effects were attributed to the lipid disordering and a promotion of the positive curvature stress. According to DSC data and results of measurements of the threshold voltages that cause bilayer breakdown licochalcone A is the most effective agent. Furthermore, the role of the polyphenol induced changes in the electric and elastic properties of lipid host in the regulation of reconstituted ion channels was examined. The ability of the tested polyphenols to decrease the conductance of single ion channels produced by the antifungal cyclic lipopeptide syringomycin E was in agreement with their effects on the dipole potential of the lipid bilayers. The greatest effect of licochalcone A on the steady-state membrane conductance induced by the antifungal polyene macrolide antibiotic nystatin correlated with its greatest efficacy to induce the positive curvature stress. We also found that butein and naringenin bind specifically to a single pore formed by α-hemolysin from Staphylococcus aureus.

Vascular- and hepato-protective effects of passion fruit seed extract containing piceatannol in chronic high-fat diet-fed rats

The effects of chronic administration of piceatannol-enriched (9.5% w/w) passion fruit seed extract (PFSE) on the cardiovascular damage induced in a high-fat (HF) diet-fed model of Fischer 344 rats were evaluated. Rats were fed the control, HF, or HF diets containing PFSE (0.5% w/w) for 16 weeks, and the effects of the various diets on the tissue weight, serum lipid profile, hepatic fibrosis, hepatic ductular reaction, cardiac function and aortic ring reactivity were examined. HF diet-fed rats developed signs of cardiovascular disease with abnormal serum profiles compared to control diet-fed rats. PFSE supplementation improved the liver hypertrophy and hepatic histology of the HF diet-fed rats. In addition, the triglyceride and cholesterol levels, platelet aggregation, cardiac function, and acetylcholine-mediated relaxation of the aortic ring were improved. These results suggest that the chronic intake of PFSE containing piceatannol prevents HF diet-induced cardiovascular disease in rats.

Krüppel-Like Factors in Vascular Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Potential

The role of inflammation in vascular disease is well recognized, involving dysregulation of both circulating immune cells as well as the cells of the vessel wall itself. Unrestrained vascular inflammation leads to pathological remodeling that eventually contributes to atherothrombotic disease and its associated sequelae (e.g., myocardial/cerebral infarction, embolism, and critical limb ischemia). Signaling events during vascular inflammation orchestrate widespread transcriptional programs that affect the functions of vascular and circulating inflammatory cells. The Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are a family of transcription factors central in regulating vascular biology in states of homeostasis and disease. Given their abundance and diversity of function in cells associated with vascular inflammation, understanding the transcriptional networks regulated by KLFs will further our understanding of the pathogenesis underlying several pervasive health concerns (e.g., atherosclerosis, stroke, etc.) and consequently inform the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Within this review, we will discuss the role of KLFs in coordinating protective and deleterious responses during vascular inflammation, while addressing the potential targeting of these critical transcription factors in future therapies.

Dietary supplement based on stilbenes: a focus on gut microbial metabolism by the in vitro simulator M-SHIME®

Polyphenols and intestinal microbiota can influence each other, modifying metabolism and gut wellness. Data on this mutual effect need to be improved. Several studies on the biological activities of resveratrol and derivatives have been carried out, but the effects of a continuous administration of stilbenes on gut microbiota have not yet been investigated. This study evaluated the effects of an extract from Vitis vinifera, containing a combination of t-resveratrol and ε-viniferin, on intestinal microbiota, using the advanced gastrointestinal simulator M-SHIME®. A triple M-SHIME® experiment was performed using two concentrations of the extract (i.e. 1 and 2 g L^-1), simulating a continuous daily intake. The effects were evaluated in terms of microbial functionality (SCFA and NH₄⁺) and composition (DGGE and Illumina sequencing), since the microbiological aspect has been less considered so far. The treatment induced changes in microbial functionality and composition. In fact, the levels of SCFA and NH₄⁺ suffered a strong decrease (i.e. inhibition of the saccharolytic and proteolytic activity), while DGGE and Illumina showed important modifications of the microbiota composition, associated with an imbalance of the colonic microbiota (i.e. increase in the relative abundance of Enterobacteriaceae). HPLC-DAD-TOF-MS analyses demonstrated that the metabolism of t-resveratrol and other stilbenes was inhibited by continuous administration. Our results suggest M-SHIME® as an explorative tool to define the dosage of food supplements, in particular to simulate effective continuous administration in humans.

Resveratrol Ameliorates Experimental Alcoholic Liver Disease by Modulating Oxidative Stress

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of resveratrol in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Alcohol was administered to healthy female rats starting from 6% (v/v) and gradually increased to 20% (v/v) by the fifth week. After 16 weeks of intervention, liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) were analyzed using a chemistry analyzer, while hepatic antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and caspase 3 activity were assessed using ELISA kits. Furthermore, hepatic CYP2E1 protein levels and mRNA levels of antioxidant and inflammation-related genes were determined using western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The results showed that resveratrol significantly attenuated alcohol-induced elevation of liver enzymes and improved hepatic antioxidant enzymes. Resveratrol also attenuated alcohol-induced CYP2E1 increase, oxidative stress, and apoptosis (caspase 3 activity). Moreover, genes associated with oxidative stress and inflammation were regulated by resveratrol supplementation. Taken together, the results suggested that resveratrol alleviated ALD through regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation, which was mediated at the transcriptional level. The data suggests that resveratrol is a promising natural therapeutic agent against chronic ALD.

Resveratrol Role in Autoimmune Disease-A Mini-Review

Autoimmune diseases are still considered to be pressing concerns due the fact that they are leaders in death and disability causes worldwide. Resveratrol is a polyphenol derived from a variety of foods and beverages, including red grapes and red wine. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiaging properties of resveratrol have been reported, and in some animal and human studies this compound reduced and ameliorated the progression of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Thus, this review aims to summarize and critically analyze the role of resveratrol in the modulation of several organ-specific or systemic autoimmune diseases.

Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms Induced by Resveratrol

Resveratrol (RVT) is one of the main natural compounds studied worldwide due to its potential therapeutic use in the treatment of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action of RVT in all of these conditions is not completely understood, as it can modify not only biochemical pathways but also epigenetic mechanisms. In this paper, we analyze the biological activities exhibited by RVT with a focus on the epigenetic mechanisms, especially those related to DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), histone deacetylase (HDAC) and lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1).

Resveratrol induces dephosphorylation of Tau by interfering with the MID1-PP2A complex

The formation of paired helical filaments (PHF), which are composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein dissociating from microtubules, is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. The most important phosphatase that is capable of dephosphorylating Tau at AD specific phospho-sites is protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A). Here we show that resveratrol, a polyphenol, significantly induces PP2A activity and reduces Tau phosphorylation at PP2A-dependent epitopes. The increase in PP2A activity is caused by decreased expression of the MID1 ubiquitin ligase that mediates ubiquitin-specific modification and degradation of the catalytic subunit of PP2A when bound to microtubules. Interestingly, we further show that MID1 expression is elevated in AD tissue. Our data suggest a key role of MID1 in the pathology of AD and related tauopathies. Together with previous studies showing that resveratrol reduces β-amyloid toxicity they also give evidence of a promising role for resveratrol in the prophylaxis and therapy of AD.

Resveratrol in the foodomics era: 1:25,000

Resveratrol is probably the most investigated plant secondary metabolite ever. An epidemiological study known as the French paradox showed a correlation between red wine intake and low mortality due to coronary heart diseases, and the red wine substance resveratrol was claimed to play a key role. Since then, several hundred resveratrol studies have been conducted to demonstrate its antioxidant and other beneficial properties. In the foodomics era, considering a complex foodome including over 25,000 substances that make up the human diet, it appears to be outdated to pursue the hunt for biological activities one function/compound at a time. First, nature is multivariate, and the effect of any one molecule will have to be modulated by its carrying matrix, its bioavailability, and synergies with other molecules. Second, a large number of targeted studies have the tendency to become biased, as they tend to retain only the data that the researchers think are relevant and thus increase the chances of spurious correlations. In this concise review, we retrace the research toward a more inductive, holistic, and multivariate path.

Design, synthesis and antibreast cancer MCF-7 cells biological evaluation of heterocyclic analogs of resveratrol

A new series of resveratrol heterocyclic analogs (4a-m) were designed and synthesized, and their inhibitiory effects on MCF-7 cells were evaluated to investigate structure-activity relationship. The effects of these analogs on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were also determined. Results showed that MCF-7 cells could be inhibited more potently by these analogs than by resveratrol (IC₅₀ = 80.0 μM). Among the analogs, compounds 4c, 4e, and 4k showed a significantly higher activity (IC₅₀ = 42.7, 48.1, and 43.4 μM) than resveratrol. Furthermore, the derivatives without additional heterocyclic structure in the 4'-OH position exhibited a more potent activity than that with addition heterocyclic structure. In addition, docking simulation was performed to adequately position compound 4c in a human F₁-ATPase active site to determine a probable binding model. These heterocyclic analogs could be effective candidates for the chemoprevention of human breast cancer.

Dietary polyphenol intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in the Polish arm of the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe (HAPIEE) study

This study aimed to test the association between dietary content of total and individual classes of polyphenols and incident cases of type 2 diabetes in Polish adults participating to the Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe study. At baseline, diet by 148-item FFQ and health information were collected from 5806 participants free of diabetes. Self-reported incident type 2 diabetes was ascertained at 2–4-year follow-up visit. OR and 95 % CI of type 2 diabetes comparing the various categories of polyphenol intake to the lowest one (reference category) and as 1 sd increase modelled as continuous variable were calculated by performing age-, energy-, and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models. During the follow-up, 456 incident cases of type 2 diabetes occurred. When comparing extreme quartiles, intake of total polyphenol was inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (OR 0·43; 95 % CI 0·30, 0·61); 1 sd increase was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes (OR 0·68; 95 % CI 0·59, 0·79). Among the main classes of polyphenols, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and stilbenes were independent contributors to this association. Both subclasses of phenolic acids were associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, whereas among subclasses of flavonoids, high intake of flavanols, flavanones, flavones and anthocyanins was significantly associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. Total dietary polyphenols and some classes of dietary polyphenols were associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Resveratrol prevents angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells through the transactivation of growth factor receptors

We previously showed that augmented levels of endogenous angiotensin II (AngII) contribute to vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy through the transactivation of growth factor receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Resveratrol (RV), a polyphenolic component of red wine, has also been shown to attenuate AngII-evoked VSMC hypertrophy; however, the molecular mechanism mediating this response is obscure. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine whether RV could prevent AngII-induced VSMC hypertrophy through the transactivation of growth factor receptor and associated signaling pathways. AngII treatment of VSMC enhanced the protein synthesis that was attenuated towards control levels by RV pretreatment as well as by the inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, c-Src, and growth factor receptors. Furthermore, RV pretreatment also inhibited enhanced levels of superoxide anion, NADPH oxidase activity, increased expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, and phosphorylation of c-Src, EGF-R, PDGE-R, ERK1/2, and AKT1/2. In conclusion, these results indicate that RV attenuates AngII-induced VSMC hypertrophy through the inhibition of enhanced oxidative stress and activation of c-Src, growth factor receptors, and MAPK/AKT signaling. We suggest that RV could be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of vascular complications associated with hypertension and hypertrophy.

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene) and its properties in oral diseases

Health promotion strategies and lifestyle changes are important in disease prevention. Oral health has received a large amount of attention previously as it is a fundamental component of general health and it contributes to the quality of life. Therefore, the study of associations between diet, health and the presence of bioactive compounds in food is receiving a substantial amount of attention. In the present review the effects and targets of a natural polyohenolic stilbenoid compound; resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene; RSV) is assessed, and the future prospects for RSV in promoting oral health are considered. RSV is a phytoalexin, synthesized by a wide range of plants and abundantly extracted in grape skin, it has been purported to exert a multiplicity of anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-microbial, estrogenic, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory functions. In this review, following an introduction documenting the biochemistry of RSV and RSV glucosides, the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of RSV are described. Considering its multiple properties, the present review has focused on the potential benefits of RSV as an antioxidant and chemopreventive agent.

Resveratrol attenuates ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesiveness to TNF-α-treated endothelial cells: evidence for an anti-inflammatory cascade mediated by the miR-221/222/AMPK/p38/NF-κB pathway

Resveratrol, an edible polyphenolic phytoalexin, improves endothelial dysfunction and attenuates inflammation. However, the mechanisms have not been thoroughly elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the molecular basis of the effects of resveratrol on TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression in HUVECs. The resveratrol treatment significantly attenuated the TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression. The inhibition of p38 phosphorylation mediated the reduction in ICAM-1 expression caused by resveratrol. Resveratrol also decreased TNF-α-induced IκB phosphorylation and the phosphorylation, acetylation, and translocation of NF-κB p65. Moreover, resveratrol induced the AMPK phosphorylation and the SIRT1 expression in TNF-α-treated HUVECs. Furthermore, TNF-α significantly suppressed miR-221/-222 expression, which was reversed by resveratrol. miR-221/-222 overexpression decreased p38/NF-κB and ICAM-1 expression, which resulted in reduced monocyte adhesion to TNF-α-treated ECs. In a mouse model of acute TNF-α-induced inflammation, resveratrol effectively attenuated ICAM-1 expression in the aortic ECs of TNF-α-treated wild-type mice. These beneficial effects of resveratrol were lost in miR-221/222 knockout mice. Our data showed that resveratrol counteracted the TNF-α-mediated reduction in miR-221/222 expression and decreased the TNF-α-induced activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB, thereby suppressing ICAM-1 expression and monocyte adhesion. Collectively, our results show that resveratrol attenuates endothelial inflammation by reducing ICAM-1 expression and that the protective effect was mediated partly through the miR-221/222/AMPK/p38/NF-κB pathway.

Distribution of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites after acute or sustained administration in mouse heart, brain, and liver

SCOPE

Trans-resveratrol is widely studied for its potentially beneficial effects on numerous disorders. It is rapidly metabolized and its metabolites can exhibit biological activity. The present study aimed to investigate whether acute or sustained trans-resveratrol administration impacted on the distribution of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites in brain, heart, and liver.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used ultra-HPLC quadrupole-TOF (UHPLC-Q-TOF) in a full-scan mode to identify and assess large numbers of resveratrol metabolites. For acute intake, mice were overfed with a single dose of trans-resveratrol (150 mg/kg) and organs were collected after 30 and 60 min. For sustained intake, trans-resveratrol was given in the chow (0.04% w/w corresponding to 40 mg/kg/day), and plasma and the organs were collected after 3 months of this resveratrol diet. We found that trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide and resveratrol-3-sulfate were the main metabolites found after acute intake, and free trans-resveratrol (in the brain and heart) and dihydroresveratrol derivatives were found after sustained administration CONCLUSIONS: Our results show notable differences between acute and sustained administration of trans-resveratrol and distribution of trans-resveratrol and its metabolites in mouse heart, brain, and liver. The results suggest a strategy for development of galenic forms of resveratrol.

Iso-α-acids, Bitter Components of Beer, Prevent Inflammation and Cognitive Decline Induced in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alongside the rapid growth in aging populations worldwide, prevention and therapy for age-related memory decline and dementia are in great demand to maintain a long, healthy life. Here we found that iso-α-acids, hop-derived bitter compounds in beer, enhance microglial phagocytosis and suppress inflammation via activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. In normal mice, oral administration of iso-α-acids led to a significant increase both in CD11b and CD206 double-positive anti-inflammatory type microglia (p < 0.05) and in microglial phagocytosis in the brain. In Alzheimer's model 5xFAD mice, oral administration of iso-α-acids resulted in a 21% reduction in amyloid β in the cerebral cortex as observed by immunohistochemical analysis, a significant reduction in inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and chemokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-1α in the cerebral cortex (p < 0.05) and a significant improvement in a novel object recognition test (p < 0.05), as compared with control-fed 5xFAD mice. The differences in iso-α-acid-fed mice were due to the induction of microglia to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. The present study is the first to report that amyloid β deposition and inflammation are suppressed in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by a single component, iso-α-acids, via the regulation of microglial activation. The suppression of neuroinflammation and improvement in cognitive function suggests that iso-α-acids contained in beer may be useful for the prevention of dementia.

Nutritional implications for ultra-endurance walking and running events

This paper examines the various nutritional challenges which athletes encounter in preparing for and participating in ultra-endurance walking and running events. Special attention is paid to energy level, performance, and recovery within the context of athletes' intake of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and various vitamins and minerals. It outlines, by way of a review of literature, those factors which promote optimal performance for the ultra-endurance athlete and provides recommendations from multiple researchers concerned with the nutrition and performance of ultra-endurance athletes. Despite the availability of some research about the subject, there is a paucity of longitudinal material which examines athletes by nature and type of ultra-endurance event, gender, age, race, and unique physiological characteristics. Optimal nutrition results in a decreased risk of energy depletion, better performance, and quicker full-recovery.

Parenchymal and Stromal Cells Contribute to Pro-Inflammatory Myocardial Environment at Early Stages of Diabetes: Protective Role of Resveratrol

Background: Little information is currently available concerning the relative contribution of cardiac parenchymal and stromal cells in the activation of the pro-inflammatory signal cascade, at the initial stages of diabetes. Similarly, the effects of early resveratrol (RSV) treatment on the negative impact of diabetes on the different myocardial cell compartments remain to be defined. Methods: In vitro challenge of neonatal cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts to high glucose and in vivo/ex vivo experiments on a rat model of Streptozotocin-induced diabetes were used to specifically address these issues. Results: In vitro data indicated that, besides cardiomyocytes, neonatal fibroblasts contribute to generating initial changes in the myocardial environment, in terms of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. These findings were mostly confirmed at the myocardial tissue level in diabetic rats, after three weeks of hyperglycemia. Specifically, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and Fractalkine were up-regulated and initial abnormalities in cardiomyocyte contractility occurred. At later stages of diabetes, a selective enhancement of pro-inflammatory macrophage M1 phenotype and a parallel reduction of anti-inflammatory macrophage M2 phenotype were associated with a marked disorganization of cardiomyocyte ultrastructural properties. RSV treatment inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production, leading to a recovery of cardiomyocyte contractile efficiency and a reduced inflammatory cell recruitment. Conclusion: Early RSV administration could inhibit the pro-inflammatory diabetic milieu sustained by different cardiac cell types.

Polyphenol compounds and PKC signaling

BACKGROUND

Naturally occurring polyphenols found in food sources provide huge health benefits. Several polyphenolic compounds are implicated in the prevention of disease states, such as cancer. One of the mechanisms by which polyphenols exert their biological actions is by interfering in the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways. PKC belongs to a superfamily of serine-threonine kinase and are primarily involved in phosphorylation of target proteins controlling activation and inhibition of many cellular processes directly or indirectly.

SCOPE OF REVIEW

Despite the availability of substantial literature data on polyphenols' regulation of PKC, no comprehensive review article is currently available on this subject. This article reviews PKC-polyphenol interactions and its relevance to various disease states. In particular, salient features of polyphenols, PKC, interactions of naturally occurring polyphenols with PKC, and future perspective of research on this subject are discussed.

MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Some polyphenols exert their antioxidant properties by regulating the transcription of the antioxidant enzyme genes through PKC signaling. Regulation of PKC by polyphenols is isoform dependent. The activation or inhibition of PKC by polyphenols has been found to be dependent on the presence of membrane, Ca(2+) ion, cofactors, cell and tissue types etc. Two polyphenols, curcumin and resveratrol are in clinical trials for the treatment of colon cancer.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

The fact that 74% of the cancer drugs are derived from natural sources, naturally occurring polyphenols or its simple analogs with improved bioavailability may have the potential to be cancer drugs in the future.

Energetic interventions for healthspan and resiliency with aging

Several behavioral and pharmacological strategies improve longevity, which is indicative of delayed organismal aging, with the most effective interventions extending both life- and healthspan. In free living creatures, maintaining health and function into old age requires resilience against a multitude of stressors. Conversely, in experimental settings, conventional housing of rodents limits exposure to such challenges, thereby obscuring an accurate assessment of resilience. Caloric restriction (CR) and exercise, as well as pharmacologic strategies (resveratrol, rapamycin, metformin, senolytics), are well established to improve indices of health and aging, but some paradoxical effects have been observed on resilience. For instance, CR potently retards the onset of age-related diseases, and improves lifespan to a greater extent than exercise in a variety of models. However, exercise has proven more consistently beneficial to organismal resilience against a broad array of stressors, including infections, surgery, wound healing and frailty. CR can improve cellular stress defenses and protect from frailty, but also impairs the response to infections, bed rest and healing. How an intervention will impact not only longevity, health and function, but also resiliency, is critical to better understanding translational implications. Thus, organismal robustness represents a critical, albeit understudied aspect of aging, which needs more careful attention in order to better inform on how putative age-delaying strategies will impact preservation of health and function in response to stressors with aging in humans.

[Assessing resveratrol effect on ocular blood flow in experiment]

AIM

To study the effect of resveratrol on ocular blood flow in vivo in healthy rats and those that underwent retinal ischemia/reperfusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The experimental study was performed on 40 Wistar rats (40 eyes). For ocular blood flow evaluation, color Doppler imaging (CDI), power Doppler (PD), and pulsed-wave spectral Doppler ultrasonography were performed using the Voluson E8 Expert ultrasonic diagnostic system (GE Healthcare). All rats were given resveratrol per os for 2 months of the study. Retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury was induced by a subconjunctival injection of endothelin-1. The control group included 10 intact animals.

RESULTS

Signs of ischemic damage of the anterior and posterior eye segments were less pronounced in rats that were given resveratrol during both pre-ischemic (30 days) and post-ischemic (30 days) periods of follow-up. There was also a statistically significant increase in the peak systolic and end diastolic velocity of blood flow as well as a decrease in the resistive index of retrobulbar arteries in those rats that underwent ischemia/reperfusion as compared to the controls.

CONCLUSION

Long-term resveratrol use (2 months) has proved effective in improving ocular blood flow in a rat model of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Nutraceutical with Resveratrol and Omega-3 Fatty Acids Induces Autophagy in ARPE-19 Cells

Impaired autophagic and proteasomal cleansing have been documented in aged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Omega-3 fatty acids and resveratrol have many positive homeostatic effects in RPE cells. In this work, ARPE-19 cells were treated with 288 ng of Resvega, containing 30 mg of trans resveratrol and 665 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, among other nutrients, with proteasome inhibitor MG-132 or autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1 up to 48 h. Autophagy markers p62/SQSTM1 (p62) and LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3) were analyzed by Western blotting. Fluorescence microscopy with mCherry-GFP-LC3 plasmid was applied to study the autophagy flux, and cytoprotective effects were investigated with colorimetric MTT and LDH assays. Resvega induced autophagy by showing increased autolysosome formation and autophagy flux, and the change in the p62 and LC3 protein levels further confirmed the fluorescent microscopy results. Moreover, Resvega provided a clear cytoprotection under proteasome inhibition. These findings highlight the potential of the nutraceuticals containing resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients in the prevention of ARPE-19 cell damage.

Long-term window of ischemic tolerance: An evolutionarily conserved form of metabolic plasticity regulated by epigenetic modifications?

In the absence of effective neuroprotective agents in the clinic, ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning are gaining increased interest in the field of cerebral ischemia. Our lab recently reported that resveratrol preconditioning affords tolerance against a focal cerebral ischemic insult in mice that can last for at least 14 days in vivo making it the longest window of ischemic tolerance discovered to date by a single administration of a pharmacological agent. The mechanism behind this novel extended window of ischemic tolerance remains elusive. In the below commentary we discuss potential mechanisms that could explain this novel extended window of ischemic tolerance in the context of previously identified windows and the known mechanisms behind them. We also draw parallels from the fields of hibernation and hypoxia-tolerance, which are chronic adaptations to severe conditions of hypoxia and ischemia known to be mediated by a form of metabolic depression. We also briefly discuss the importance of epigenetic modifications in maintaining this depressed state of metabolism.

The resveratrol-enriched rice DJ526 boosts motor coordination and physical strength

The main objective of current genetic modifications in crops is to boost agricultural production or to develop GM crops with an improved nutrient profile by introducing a new trait to the plants. A GM crop surpassing the ability of the introduced genetic characteristics has not been developed yet. Here, we show that the resveratrol-enriched rice DJ526, a GM crop, has unexpectedly high beneficial health effects surpassing the introduced genetic characteristic of resveratrol synthetic ability. The synergistic effect of its innate and transgenic properties not only ameliorates age-related deterioration but also boosts motor coordination and physical strength during the aging process. The gene expression profiling analyses by DNA chip showed that the gene expression pattern of mice fed resveratrol-enriched rice DJ526 was very different from mice fed either resveratrol or Dongjin rice alone, respectively, modifying expression of genes related to aging regulation, cell differentiation, extracellular matrix, neurogenesis, or secretion.

Resveratrol lowers blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats via calcium-dependent endothelial NO production

OBJECTIVE

Resveratrol, a polyphenol of natural compounds, has beneficial cardiovascular effects, many of which are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Resveratrol increases intracellular calcium and activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), all of which could increase NO production. We hypothesized that resveratrol via a calcium-dependent NO production lowers blood pressure (BP) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations in rat aortas were examined by organ chamber. Blood pressures were determined by radiotelemetry methods.

RESULTS

Incubation of isolated aortas from SHR with resveratrol dramatically improved vasorelaxation induced by Ach. Preincubation of aortas with endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitor or calcium chelant blunted the effects of resveratrol on Ach-induced relaxation, as wells as NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. In animal studies, administration of resveratrol significantly lowered systemic BP in SHR.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol increases endothelial NO production to improve endothelial dysfunction and lowers BP in hypertensive rats, which depends on calcium-eNOS activation.

New Potential Pharmacological Functions of Chinese Herbal Medicines via Regulation of Autophagy

Autophagy is a universal catabolic cellular process for quality control of cytoplasm and maintenance of cellular homeostasis upon nutrient deprivation and environmental stimulus. It involves the lysosomal degradation of cellular components such as misfolded proteins or damaged organelles. Defects in autophagy are implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases including cancers, myopathy, neurodegenerations, infections and cardiovascular diseases. In the recent decade, traditional drugs with new clinical applications are not only commonly found in Western medicines, but also highlighted in Chinese herbal medicines (CHM). For instance, pharmacological studies have revealed that active components or fractions from Chaihu (Radix bupleuri), Hu Zhang (Rhizoma polygoni cuspidati), Donglingcao (Rabdosia rubesens), Hou po (Cortex magnoliae officinalis) and Chuan xiong (Rhizoma chuanxiong) modulate cancers, neurodegeneration and cardiovascular disease via autophagy. These findings shed light on the potential new applications and formulation of CHM decoctions via regulation of autophagy. This article reviews the roles of autophagy in the pharmacological actions of CHM and discusses their new potential clinical applications in various human diseases.

Resveratrol induces intracellular Ca(2+) rise via T-type Ca(2+) channels in a mesothelioma cell line

AIMS

Intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) is known to play an important role in cancer development and growth. Resveratrol (Res) is a stilbene polyphenol occurring in several plant species and known for various possible beneficial effects, including its ability to inhibit proliferation and to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This study was designed to determine whether Res affects Ca(2+) signaling in cancer cells.

MAIN METHODS

We used the REN human mesothelioma cell line, as an in vitro cancer cell model, and the non-malignant human mesothelial MeT5A cell line, as normal cell model. Cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration was measured by the fluorescent indicator Fura-2. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, and siRNA technique were employed to assess the involvement of T-type Ca(2+) channels. Cell viability was determined by the calcein assay.

KEY FINDINGS

REN cells transiently exposed to 1-10μM Res showed increasing peaks of Ca(2+) that were absent in Ca(2+)-free medium and were reduced by non-selective (Ni(2+)), and highly selective (NNC 55-0396) T-type Ca(2+) channels antagonist, and by siRNA knockout of Cav3.2T-type Ca(2+) channel gene. Dose-dependent curve of Res-induced Ca(2+) peaks showed a rightward shift in normal MeT-5A mesothelial cells (EC50=4.9μM) with respect to REN cells (EC50=2.7μM). Moreover, incubation with 3 and 10μM Res for 7days resulted in cell growth inhibition for REN, but not for MeT-5A cells.

SIGNIFICANCE

Res induces Ca(2+) influx, possibly mediated through T-type Ca(2+) channels, with significant selectivity towards mesothelioma cells, suggesting a possible use as an adjuvant to chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma clinical treatment.

Resveratrol and Omega-3 Fatty Acid: Its Implications in Cardiovascular Diseases

The present review aims at summarizing the major therapeutic roles of resveratrol and omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) along with their related pathways. This article reviews some of the key studies involving the health benefits of resveratrol and O3FAs. Oxidative stress has been considered as one of the most important pathophysiological factors associated with various cardiovascular disease conditions. Resveratrol, with the potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, has been proven to be a significantly protective compound in restoring the normal cardiac health. A plethora of research also demonstrated the reduction of the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke, and their complications by O3FAs derived from fish and fish oils. This review describes the potential cardioprotective role of resveratrol and O3FAs in ameliorating the endoplasmic reticulum stress.