Study Shows Anti-inflammatory Activity of Resveratrol

by CP Staff

Researchers have investigated the physiological effects of trans-resveratrol on inflammation. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant found in high concentrations in the skin of red grapes, red wine, and in extracts of the root and stems of the giant Knotweed plant. Previous research indicates that resveratrol activates an enzyme known as sirtuin 1, which is known to play a role in the regulation of the cell life span as well as sensitivity to insulin.

In this new study, researchers evaluated the response of adipose (fat) cells to resveratrol. Adipose cells produce pro-inflammatory mediators known as adipokines or adipocytokines, which are partially mediated through the regulation of sirtuin 1. Some of these pro-inflammatory mediators from adipose cells include interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Increased production of the pro-inflammatory chemicals is seen in obese individuals.

Researchers exposed human adipose tissue in vitro, to a pro-inflammatory mediator known as IL-1beta, which resulted in increased secretion of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 from 3 to over 7 times the normal amounts secreted. Gene expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and PAI-1 was increased from 1.3 to 7.2-fold. When the adipose tissue cultures were treated simultaneously with resveratrol plus IL-1beta, there was a 16-36 percent reduction in the secretion of the pro-inflammatory mediators and a 25-48 percent reduction in the gene expressions for these pro-inflammatory adipokines.

In addition, IL-1beta reduced by forty percent the expression of the gene for the protein hormone secreted from fat cells, known as adiponectin. Adiponectin is important for the regulation of glucose and fatty acid metabolism. The addition of resveratrol to the adipose tissue reversed the reduction of adiponectin, which is thought to support a more balanced metabolism.

The researchers stated, “This study is the first to show anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol on adipokine expression and secretion in human adipose tissue in vitro through the SIRT1 pathway. Thus, resveratrol is hypothesized to possess beneficial effects and might improve the metabolic profile in human obesity.”

Reference:

Olholm J, Paulsen SK, Cullberg KB, Richelsen B, Pedersen SB. Anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on adipokine expression and secretion in human adipose tissue explants. Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Oct;34(10):1546-53.