Resveratrol’s heart health benefits pinpointed?
Two studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition report that red wine appears to have a direct effect on the health of the cells lining blood vessels, while resveratrol may also influence the function of fat cells, and reduce the risk of developing conditions related to obesity.
The results were welcomed by Evi Mercken and Rafael de Cabo from the National Institute on Aging at the National Institutes of Health. In an accompanying editorial in the AJCN, the NIH scientists said “the potential effect of resveratrol in preventive medicine and treatment of metabolic diseases cannot be overlooked”. They called for well-designed human trials to further explore the potential benefits of red wine and resveratrol.
The promise of long life
Resveratrol, a powerful polyphenol and anti-fungal chemical, is often touted as the bioactive compound in grapes and red wine, and has particularly been associated with the so-called 'French Paradox'. The phrase, coined in 1992 by Dr Serge Renaud from Bordeaux University, describes the low incidence of heart disease and obesity among the French, despite their relatively high-fat diet and levels of wine consumption.
Interest in the compound exploded in 2003 when research from David Sinclair and his team from Harvard reported that resveratrol was able to increase the lifespan of yeast cells. The research, published in Nature, was greeted with international media fanfare and ignited flames of hope for an anti-ageing pill.
According to Sinclair’s findings, resveratrol could activate a gene called sirtuin1 (Sirt1 – the yeast equivalent was Sir2), which is also activated during calorie restriction in various species, including monkeys.
Since then studies in nematode worms, fruit flies, fish, and mice have linked resveratrol to longer lives. Other studies with only resveratrol have reported anti-cancer effects, anti-inflammatory effects, cardiovascular benefits, anti-diabetes potential, energy endurance enhancement, and protection against Alzheimer’s.
Resveratrol and fat mass
In the first study, researchers from the Israel Institute of Technology report that red wine may boost heart health by effecting gene signalling in the cells in the lining of blood vessels that contribute to healthy cardiovascular function.
The Israeli research focussed on cells called endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which contribute to the healthy maintenance of the cells lining blood vessels (endothelial cells). After 21 days of consuming 250 mL red wine per day, the researchers noted that the number of EPCs increased, as did the production of nitric oxide, which plays a key role in relaxation of blood vessels (vasodilation).
In the second study, also published in AJCN, scientists from the University of Ulm in Germany report that resveratrol may have a direct impact on the mass and function of fat tissue.
A cell study using pure resveratrol (Sigma-Aldrich) found that the effects were partially linked to the Sirt1 gene. Data showed that fat production in the cells was inhibited by exposure to resveratrol.
“Our findings open up the new perspective that resveratrol-induced intracellular pathways could be a target for prevention or treatment of obesity-associated endocrine and metabolic adverse effects,” wrote the researchers.
Independent comment
In their accompanying editorial Mercken and de Cabo noted that both studies shine light on the potential mechanisms underlying the reported benefits of resveratrol in metabolic disorders.
“From these studies it is clear that resveratrol acts both indirectly (through adipose tissue) and directly (through endothelial cells) to prevent cardiovascular disease,” wrote Mercken and de Cabo in the AJCN. “There are a few questions that remain unsolved, namely, 1) Does resveratrol act directly or does it resemble an endogenous signaling molecule? and 2) Are some of resveratrol’s metabolites bioactive molecules in their own right?”
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
2010, Volume 92, Pages 5-15
"Resveratrol regulates human adipocyte number and function in a Sirt1-dependent manner"
Authors: P. Fischer-Posovszky, V. Kukulus, D. Tews, T. Unterkircher, K.-M. Debatin, S. Fulda, M. Wabitsch
2010, Volume 92, Pages 161-169
“Red wine consumption improves in vitro migration of endothelial progenitor cells in young, healthy individuals”
Authors: S. Hamed, J. Alshiek, A. Aharon, B. Brenner, A. Roguin
2010, Volume 92, Pages 1-2
“A toast to your health, one drink at a time”
Authors: E.M. Mercken, R. de Cabo
