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Resveratrol and red wine, healthy heart and longevity. Heart Fail Rev. 2010 Sep;15(5):467-77 Authors: Das DK, Mukherjee S, Ray D Resveratrol, a polyphenol phytoalexin, present in red wine and grapes possesses diverse biochemical and physiological properties, including estrogenic, antiplatelet, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as a wide range of health benefits ranging from chemoprevention to cardioprotection. Recently, several studies described resveratrol as an anti-aging compound. This review focuses on the anti-aging aspects of resveratrol, the possible mechanisms of action, and emerging controversy on its life-prolonging ability. It appears that resveratrol can induce the expression of several longevity genes including Sirt1, Sirt3, Sirt4, FoxO1, Foxo3a and PBEF and prevent aging-related decline in cardiovascular function including cholesterol level and inflammatory response, but it is unable to affect actual survival or life span of mice. PMID: 20238161 [PubMed - in process]

Anti-atherogenic effects of resveratrol. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;64(7):660-8 Authors: Ramprasath VR, Jones PJ Resveratrol (RS), a polyphenol compound found in grapes and grape products, including wine, peanuts and berries, exists in cis- and trans-isomeric forms. RS is believed to decrease circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, it is possible that RS has other mechanisms to reduce the risk of CVD without altering lipid levels. The objective of this review is to critically examine results from recent research concerning potential effects of RS on CVD. RS exerts several health benefits including anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. RS may also prevent lipid oxidation, platelet aggregation, arterial vasodilation and modulates the levels of lipids and lipoproteins. As a potent, anti-oxidant RS reduces oxidative stress and regenerates alpha-tocopherol, which further strengthens the anti-oxidant defense mechanism. RS has been considered safe as no significant toxic effects have been identified, even when consumed at higher concentrations. This evidence identified RS as an effective anti-atherogenic agent, which could be used in the prevention and treatment of CVD. PMID: 20485301 [PubMed - in process]

Resveratrol and cardiovascular health. Mol Aspects Med. 2010 Sep 15; Authors: Das M, Das DK Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene) is a member of natural, plant-derived chemicals known as polyphenols and is attracting increased attention due to its diverse health benefits especially in case of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and neurological problems. Despite impressive gains in diagnosis and treatment, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a serious clinical problem and threat to public health. Resveratrol possesses potent antioxidant properties and has been shown to decrease low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol oxidation and platelet aggregation. This compound also possesses a range of additional cardioprotective and vasoprotective properties including antiatherosclerotic and vasorelaxation action. Resveratrol also has the capacity to interact with multiple molecular targets, which involve diverse intracellular pathways. Most well-known is the ability of resveratrol to activate sirtuins, a class of NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase that affect multiple transcription factors and other protein targets. Recently, resveratrol was found to induce autophagy and regenerate myocardial ischemic tissue treated with stem cells. Overall observation indicates that resveratrol has a high therapeutic potentials for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. PMID: 20837050 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

A new study just published last week suggest that a compound found in red wine commercially known as Resveratrol could attenuate cardiovascular disease in man. The research, performed at the University of Southern Queensland in Australia used a type of rats that are used as a model of human hypertension. Rats subjects to a hypertension regime that were treated with Resveratrol significantly  improved on a series of parameters related to the progression of cardiovascular disease: resveratrol decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, decreased cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac and vascular function.

The study concluded that resveratrol, at a nutritionally relevant dose, prevents or attenuates the adverse changes in the cardiovascular system. The research team proposes that the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of resveratrol are responsible, at least in part, for its amelioration in cardiovascular remodelling in DOCA-salt rats. These actions of resveratrol could play an important role in the protective effects on the human cardiovascular system reported for this constituent of red wine.

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An old adage claims that a glass of good red wine a day leads to a long and happy life. The second part of the statement may be up to you, but Science has shonw the truth behind the beneficial effects of certain red wine components on longevity. Resveratrol is an organic substance found in grapes and especially in red wine. Scientist have alreadyfound that Resveratrol can extend the lifespan of worms and fruit flies, but more recently they showed that the anti aging properties of Resveratrol work on vertebrate animals like fish, and very likely in humans as well.

The studies found that Resveratrol, when added to the diet of short-lived fish, had the effect of extending their lifespan. In addition, the onset of ageing-related memory loss was delayed significantly.

Resveratrol is is a type of antioxidant that belongs to the group of polyphenols. This substances, inlcuding the ones found in red wine, have anti-inflammatory as well as anticancer properties. Many researchers consider them very promising and are currently conducting studies for a variety of pharmaceutical uses.

Resveratrol buys time

Initially, studies have shown that resveratrol extends the lifespan of organisms with short life, such as yeast, fruit flies, and  some kinds of worms. The next step is to test the anti aging effects of resveratrol on animals that are more similar to us. In an new study, researchers examined the effects of resveratrol on a small fish species that lives up to three months in a tank. The results showed that supplementing the daily diet of the animal with resveratrol, their normal life span was prolongued, but also age-related memory and muscular problems appear much later than usual.

A low dose of resveratrol resulted in an average of 33% increase in life span for the fish, while the animals fed with a higher dose of resveratrol lived more than 50% longer.

The researchers that conducted the study say that resveratrol is one of the first substances known to consistently extend the life of organisms from very different animal types, and thus it constitutes a promising starting point for developing treatments to prevent age-related diseases in humans.

More information on Resveratrol can be found in the RevGenetics website.

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