Cardiovascular protective effects of resveratrol.
Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a phytoalexin found in grape skins, peanuts, and red wine, has been reported to have a wide range of biological and pharmacological properties. It has been speculated that at low doses (such as consumed in the common diet) resveratrol may have cardioprotective activity. In this article we describe recent in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models. The results of these studies suggest that resveratrol modulates vascular cell function, inhibits LDL oxidation, suppresses platelet aggregation and reduces myocardial damage during ischemia-reperfusion. Although the reported biological data indicate that resveratrol is a highly promising cardiovascular protective agent, more studies are needed to establish its bioavailability and in vivo cardioprotective effects, particularly in humans.
Bradamante
Silvia
S
CNR-ISTM, Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Molecolari, Via Golgi 19, 20133 Milano, Italy. silvia.bradamante@istm.cnr.it.
Barenghi
Livia
L
Villa
Alessandro
A
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000188:drug therapy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D013267:Stilbenes; D002784:Cholesterol; D000077185:Resveratrol