Resveratrol ameliorates the behavioural and molecular changes in rats exposed to uninephrectomy: role of hippocampal SIRT1, BDNF and AChE

Subtle memory and cognitive changes may occur in uninephrectomized (Unix) patients long before the development of chronic kidney disease, such changes may be unnoticed. The dietary polyphenol, Resveratrol, displayed various neuroprotective effects, its role in chronic kidney disease is an area of intense studies. This work was designed to investigate the behavioural and molecular changes that may occur following 7 months of Unix in rats, and to determine whether Resveratrol intake can improve such pathology. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham operated, Unix and Unix group treated with Resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day). Rats were subjected to series of behavioural testing, different biochemical parameters along with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry of the hippocampal tissue to track the development of functional or structural brain changes. Anxiety behaviour and reduced spatial memory performance were observed in rats 7 months post-nephrectomy; these deficits were remarkably reversed with Resveratrol. Among the species typical behaviour, burrowing was assessed; it showed significant impairment post-nephrectomy. Resveratrol intake was almost able to increase the burrowing behaviour. Decreased SIRT1 in immune-stained sections, oxidative stress, inflammatory changes, and increased AChE activity in hippocampal homogenates were found in Unix rats, and Resveratrol once more was capable to reverse such pathological changes. This work has investigated the occurrence of behavioural and structural brain changes 7 months following Unix and underlined the importance of Resveratrol to counterbalance the behavioural impairment, biochemical and brain pathological changes after uninephrectomy. These findings may raise the possible protective effects of Resveratrol intake in decreased kidney function. (AU)

Resveratrol as a modulatory of apoptosis and autophagy in cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, with a heavy socio-economical burden for countries. Despite the great advances that have been made in the treatment of cancer, chemotherapy is still the most common method of treatment. However, many side effects, including hepatotoxicity, renal toxicity, and cardiotoxicity, limit the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy. Over recent years, natural products have attracted attention as therapeutic agents against various diseases, such as cancer. Resveratrol (RES), a natural polyphenol occurring in grapes, nuts, wine, and berries, exhibited potential for preventing and treating various cancer types. RES also ameliorates chemotherapy-induced detrimental effects. Furthermore, RES could modulate apoptosis and autophagy as the main forms of cancer cell deaths by targeting various signaling pathways and up/downregulation of apoptotic and autophagic genes. This review will summarize the anti-cancer effects of RES and focus on the fundamental mechanisms and targets for modulating apoptosis and autophagy by RES.

In the shadow of resveratrol: biological activities of epsilon-viniferin

Stilbenes are secondary metabolites belonging to the polyphenol family. Those compounds are derived from the glycosylation, prenylation, methoxylation, hydroxylation, or also oligomerization of the well-known trans-resveratrol. One of them, trans-epsilon-viniferin (ε-viniferin), is a trans-resveratrol dimer that arouses the interest of researchers in the field of human health. The biosynthesis of this molecule in various plant species, particularly high in the Vitaceae family, explains its presence in some red wines, which represent the main source of ε-viniferin in the human diet. Although bioavailability studies have shown poor absorption and high metabolism of this stilbene, multiple studies demonstrated its biological properties. The ε-viniferin exhibits strong activities against inflammatory and oxidative stress. Moreover, various studies have reported great activity of this compound not only in a wide range of disorders and diseases, such as cancer, obesity, and its associated disorders, but also in vascular diseases and neurodegeneration, for which the pathophysiology is closely related to the state of oxidation and inflammation. This review provides a state of art of the main activities of ε-viniferin demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, highlighting that this resveratrol dimer could be a promising candidate for future functional foods or supplement foods used for the management of many chronic diseases of concern in terms of public health. (AU)

Inhibitory effect of polyphenols (phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes) on cancer by regulating signal transduction pathways: a review

Natural products, especially polyphenols (phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes) are suggested to be more potent anticancer drugs because of their no or less adverse effects, excess availability, high accuracy, and secure mode of action. In the present review, potential anticancer mechanisms of action of some polyphenols including phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes are discussed based on clinical, epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro studies. The emerging evidence revealed that phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes induced apoptosis in the treatment of breast (MCF-7), colon (Caco-2), lung (SKLU-1), prostate (DU-145 and LNCaP), hepatocellular (hepG-2), and cervical (A-431) cancer cells, cell cycle arrest (S/G2/M/G1-phases) in gastric (MKN-45 and MKN-74), colorectal (HCT-116), bladder (T-24 and 5637), oral (H-400), leukemic (HL-60 and MOLT-4) and colon (Caco-2) cancer cells, and inhibit cell proliferation against the prostate (PC-3), liver (LI-90), breast (T47D and MDA-MB-231), colon (HT-29 and Caco-2), cervical (HTB-35), and MIC-1 cancer cells through caspase-3, MAPK, AMPK, Akt, NF-κB, Wnt, CD95, and SIRT1 pathways. Based on accumulated data, we suggested that polyphenols could be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of cancer cells in the near future.

Anti-obesity effects of resveratrol: comparison between animal models and humans

The prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly during recent years and has reached epidemic proportions. As a result, the scientific community is interested in active biomolecules which are naturally present in plants and foodstuffs and may be useful in body weight management. In recent years, polyphenols have made up one of the most frequently studied groups among these molecules. Numerous studies have been carried out on animals to analyse the potential anti-obesity effects of resveratrol, a non-flavonoid polyphenol, and a general consensus concerning the body-fat-lowering effect of this compound exists. By contrast, studies in humans have been few so far. Moreover, in these studies, the effectiveness of resveratrol is low. The aims of the present review are to summarize the results reported so far on this topic and to justify the differences observed between animals and humans. It seems that the reduced response to resveratrol in humans cannot be attributed to the use of lower doses in humans because the doses that induce body-fat-lowering effects in rodents are in the same range as those used in human studies. With regard to the experimental period length, treatments were longer in animal studies than in human studies. This can be one of the reasons contributing to the reduced responses observed in humans. Moreover, animals used in the reported studies are young while volunteers participating in human studies are adults, suggesting that resveratrol may be more efficient in young individuals. In addition to differences in the experimental designs, metabolic differences between animals and human cannot be discarded

Effects of pterostilbene in brown adipose tissue from obese rats

In recent years, much attention has been paid by the scientific community to phenolic compounds as active biomolecules naturally present in foods. Pterostilbene is a resveratrol dimethylether derivative which shows higher bioavailability. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of pterostilbene on brown adipose tissue thermogenic markers in a model of genetic obesity, which shows reduced thermogenesis. The experiment was conducted with 30 Zucker (fa/fa) rats that were distributed in three experimental groups: control and two groups orally administered with pterostilbene at 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight/day for 6 weeks. Gene expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1 α (Pgc-1α), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1b (Cpt1b), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (Pparα), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nfr1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2); protein expression of PPARα, PGC-1α, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), UCP1 and glucose transporter (GLUT4); and enzyme activity of CPT 1b and citrate synthase (CS) were assessed in interscapular brown adipose tissue. With the exception of Pgc-1α expression, all these parameters were significantly increased by pterostilbene administration. These results show for the first time that pterostilbene increases thermogenic and oxidative capacity of brown adipose tissue in obese rats. Whether these effects effectively contribute to the antiobesity properties of these compound needs further research

Cardioprotective effect of resveratrol analogue isorhapontigenin versus omega-3 fatty acids in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a common cause of mortality worldwide. Isorhapontigenin is a derivative of stilbene with chemical structure similar to resveratrol. The omega-3 fatty acids (FA) have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pretreatment with isorhapontigenin and omega-3 FA on rat model of isoproterenol-induced MI. Fifty-six rats were divided into seven groups: normal, normal + isorhapontigenin, normal + omega-3 FA, MI, MI + isorhapontigenin, MI + omega-3 FA, and MI + isorhapontigenin + omega-3 FA. Serum levels of cardiac marker enzymes [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)], cardiac troponin I (cTnI), inflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6], and lipid profile [triglycerides, total cholesterol (T.Ch), high and low density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), and phospholipids] as well as cardiac levels of malondialdehyde and anti-oxidants [reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase)] were measured in all rats. ECG and histopathological examination were performed. Isoproterenol caused a significant elevation of ST segment, decreased R wave amplitude, HDL, and anti-oxidants, and increased LDH, CK-MB, cTnI, TNF-α, interleukin-6, malondialdehyde, triglycerides, T.Ch, LDL, and phospholipids. Omega-3 FA or isorhapontigenin significantly decreased the ST segment elevation, LDH, CK-MB, cTnI, TNF-α, interleukin-6, malondialdehyde, and phospholipids and increased R wave amplitude and anti-oxidants. The effects of combined omega-3 FA and isorhapontigenin were more significant than either of them alone. Therefore, we conclude that omega-3 FA and isorhapontigenin have a cardioprotective effect on rats with isoproterenol-induced MI through their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions (AU)

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Potential renoprotective effects of piceatannol in ameliorating the early-stage nephropathy associated with obesity in obese Zucker rats

Obesity-associated nephropathy is considered to be a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Resveratrol supplementation represents a promising therapy to attenuate kidney injury, but the poor solubility and limited bioavailability of this polyphenol limits its use in dietary intervention. Piceatannol, a resveratrol analogue, has been suggested as a better option. In this study, we aimed to provide evidence of a preventive action of piceatannol in very early stages of obesity-associated nephropathy. Thirty obese Zucker rats were divided into three experimental groups: one control and two groups orally treated for 6 weeks with 15 and 45 mg piceatannol/kg body weight/day. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to determine renal and urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1), renal fibrosis markers (transforming growth factor β1 and fibronectin) and renal sirtuin-1 protein. Oxidative stress was assessed in the kidney by measuring lipid peroxidation and nitrosative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substrates and 3-nitrotyrosine levels, respectively) together with the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Renal fatty acids profile analysis was performed by thin-layer and gas chromatography. Piceatannol-treated rats displayed lower levels of urinary and renal Kim-1. Renal fibrosis biomarkers and lipid peroxidation exhibited a tendency to decrease in the piceatannol-treated groups. Piceatannol treatment did not modify superoxide dismutase activity or sirtuin-1 protein levels, while it seemed to increase the levels of polyunsaturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the kidneys. Our findings suggest a mild renoprotective effect of piceatannol in obese Zucker rats and the need of intervention at early stages of renal damage (AU)

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Limited beneficial effects of piceatannol supplementation on obesity complications in the obese Zucker rat: gut microbiota, metabolic, endocrine, and cardiac aspects

Resveratrol is beneficial in obese and diabetic rodents. However, its low bioavailability raises questions about its therapeutic relevance for treating or preventing obesity complications. In this context, many related natural polyphenols are being tested for their putative antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects. This prompted us to study the influence of piceatannol, a polyhydroxylated stilbene, on the prevention of obesity complications in Zucker obese rats. A 6-week supplementation was followed by the determination of various markers in plasma, liver, adipose tissue and heart, together with a large-scale analysis of gut microbiota composition. When given in doses of 15 or 45 mg/kg body weight/day, piceatannol did not reduce either hyperphagia or fat accumulation. It did not modify the profusion of the most abundant phyla in gut, though slight changes were observed in the abundance of several Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Bacteroides species belonging to Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. This was accompanied by a tendency to reduce plasma lipopolysaccharides by 30 %, and by a decrease of circulating non-esterified fatty acids, LDL-cholesterol, and lactate. While piceatannol tended to improve lipid handling, it did not mitigate hyperinsulinemia and cardiac hypertrophy. However, it increased cardiac expression of ephrin-B1, a membrane protein that contributes to maintaining cardiomyocyte architecture. Lastly, ascorbyl radical plasma levels and hydrogen peroxide release by adipose tissue were similar in control and treated groups. Thus, piceatannol did not exhibit strong slimming capacities but did limit several obesity complications (AU)

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Bioactive substances with preventive effect in cardiovascular diseases / Sustancias bioactivas con efecto preventivo en la enfermedad cardiovascular

The effect of diet on cardiovascular disease prevention has been widely studied for many years. Numerous studies have confirmed that diets rich in fruits and vegetables (Mediterranean diet) are beneficial to the cardiovascular system and various bioactive food components have preventive effect on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease. In this paper we review the effect of bioactive substances included in the group of flavonoids (catechins and proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins and isoflavones), stilbenes such as resveratrol, bioactive peptides, plant sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 on the cardiovascular system (AU)

El efecto de la dieta sobre la prevención de las enfermedades cardiovasculares ha sido ampliamente estudiado durante muchos años. Numerosos estudios han corroborado que las dietas ricas en frutas y hortalizas (dieta mediterránea) resultan cardiosaludables y que diversas sustancias bioactivas que componen los alimentos tienen un efecto preventivo en diversas enfermedades crónicas como son las enfermedades cardiovasculares. En esta revisión vamos a tratar ciertas sustancias bioactivas, como son algunas incluidas en el grupo de los flavonoides (catequinas y proantocianidinas, antocianinas e isoflavonas), estilbenos como el resveratrol, péptidos bioactivos, esteroles vegetales y ácidos grasos poliinsaturados omega-3 (AU)

Protective effect of resveratrol against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis in male experimental rats

The possible effectiveness of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in different plants comprising berries, grapes and peanuts, on the prevention of doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity and fibrosis was investigated. Forty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I received normal saline, group II gavaged with resveratrol (20 mg/kg, daily for 4 weeks), group III received doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg i.p. in six injections for 2 weeks; accumulative dose of 15 mg/kg), and group IV received doxorubicin + resveratrol (starting resveratrol intake 2 weeks before doxorubicin administration). Resveratrol significantly alleviated the increase in left ventricular lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels as well as serum creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) activity and prevented the decrease in body and heart weights in doxorubicin-treated group. However, a marked protection against reduced glutathione content depletion and superoxide dismutase activity reduction was observed in the left ventricles of rats pretreated with resveratrol in combination with doxorubicin. Resveratrol also ameliorated the up-regulation of left ventricular caspase-3 and transforming growth factor-beta1 gene expression as well as left ventricular histopathological changes including necrosis and fibrosis induced by doxorubicin. Collectively, our results suggest that resveratrol provides a significant protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and fibrosis in rats. Therefore, it may be used as a promising cardioprotective agent in patients treated with doxorubicin due to malignant diseases. So, further clinical trials are required to confirm these findings (AU)

La ciencia de los alimentos saludables: una panorámica actual / The science of health-promoting food products: a current panoramic view

En respuesta a una demanda surgida de la preocupación social por relacionar su estado de salud con los alimentos que consume, la industria alimentaria comercializa unos productos alimenticios que califi ca de Saludables. Los planteamientos implicados en la elaboración de tales categorías de alimentos han conducido al desarrollo de una nueva rama de la Bromatología, denominada Ciencia de los Alimentos Saludables, con unos objetivos esenciales que le proporcionan su naturaleza científi ca: identifi cación de los compuestos alimenticios capaces de aportar benefi cios saludables; aclaración de los mecanismos implicados en dichos efectos; puesta a punto de tecnologías capaces de dar forma comercial a las nuevas formulaciones establecidas; etc. En los últimos diez años, han abundado las publicaciones científi cas en torno a las propiedades saludables de algunos ácidos grasos funcionales, antioxidantes nutricionales, lignanos, estilbenos, fi toesteroles, estanoles, beta-glucanos, celulosa en polvo, arándanos y L-carnitina. En ellas se las relaciona con la posible prevención de enfermedades, tales como cardiovasculares, tumores malignos, alteraciones del sistema nervioso, obesidad, disfunciones del sistema inmune y comportamiento humano. Su carácter interdisciplinar hace que la nueva Ciencia de los Alimentos Saludables necesite de la aportación de otras disciplinas implicadas en la nutrición humana, tales como la Bioquímica, la Tecnología de Alimentos y la Genética moderna. Basadas en las técnicas propias de la Genómica funcional, la contribución de la Genómica nutricional, puede resultar clave para lograr una mejor interpretación de las incidencias, tanto positivas como negativas, de los alimentos sobre la salud humana. En la práctica, se piensa que los nuevos conocimientos genéticos pueden aclarar los factores genéticos relacionados con las etiologías de enfermedades vinculadas a las dietas alimenticias. Así mismo, se podría pensar en la posibilidad de establecer recomendaciones dietéticas personales y llegar a una posible elección personalizada de los alimentos

In response to an ever increasing social awareness of the relationship between food consumption and health, the foodstuffs industry has begun to commercialise food products that may be considered as healthy. The considerations involved in the manufacture of this product category have led to the development of a new branch of Bromatology, known as the Science of health-promoting foods, whose essential objectives, based on scientifi c principles, are as follows: the identifi cation of food compounds that are capable of producing health benefi ts; the determination of the mechanisms involved in producing such effects; the optimisation of technologies that are capable of giving a commercial form to newly established formulations; etc. Over the last ten years, there has been a proliferation of scientifi c publications on the health giving properties of some functional fatty acids, nutritional antioxidants, lignans, stilbenes, phytoesterols, stanols, beta-glucans, powdered cellulose, blueberries and L-carnitin. These substances have been related to the possible prevention of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, malignant tumours, nervous system alterations, obesity, immune system dysfunction and human behaviour. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this new science, contributions from other disciplines involved in human nutrition, such as Biochemistry, Food Technology and Modern Genetics, are required. In accordance with the techniques inherent to functional genomics, nutritional Genomics may play a key role in the better understanding of both the benefi cial and detrimental effects of food consumption in human health. In practice, it is believed that new developments in genetic knowledge may elucidate upon the genetic factors that are related to the ethiology of diseases associated with diet. Furthermore, on the basis of such knowledge, the possibilty of establishing personal dietary recommendations with a personalised choice of foods could be contemplated