Acute resveratrol supplementation improves flow-mediated dilatation in overweight/obese individuals with mildly elevated blood pressure.
Wong RHX, Howe PRC, Buckley JD, Coates AM, Kunz I, Berry NM
Commento
L’assunzione quotidiana di supplementi di resveratrolo può migliorare la funzione vascolare e apportare benefici al sistema cardiovascolare. I fattori di rischio cardiovascolare, tra cui l'ipertensione e l'obesità, sono associati a cambiamenti strutturali e funzionali dell'endotelio dei vasi sanguigni. La dilatazione flusso-mediata dell'arteria brachiale è un marker della funzionalità dei vasi sanguigni e della salute cardiovascolare, ed è riconosciuta come un fattore di rischio per lo sviluppo di malattie cardiovascolari. In seguito a supplementazione con resveratrolo (30, 90, 270 mg) è stato osservato un miglioramento della dilatazione flusso-mediata (aumento lineare dose-dipendente) in soggetti obesi o in sovrappeso. Il meccanismo alla base di quanto osservato potrebbe essere correlato ad un aumento della biodisponibilità di NO, con conseguente azione vasodilatatrice sull’endotelio vasale.
ABSTRACT
Flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery (FMD) is a biomarker of endothelial function and cardiovascular health. Impaired FMD is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension and obesity. Various food ingredients such as polyphenols have been shown to improve FMD. We investigated whether consuming resveratrol, a polyphenol found in red wine, can enhance FMD acutely and whether there is a dose-response relationship for this effect. 19 overweight/obese (BMI 25–35 kg m−2) men or post-menopausal women with untreated borderline hypertension (systolic BP: 130–160 mmHg or diastolic BP: 85–100 mmHg) consumed three doses of resveratrol (resVida™ 30, 90 and 270 mg) and a placebo at weekly intervals in a double-blind, randomized crossover comparison. One hour after consumption of the supplement, plasma resveratrol and FMD were measured. Data were analyzed by linear regression versus log10 dose of resveratrol. 14 men and 5 women (age 55 ± 2 years, BMI 28.7 ± 0.5 kg m−2, BP 141 ± 2/89 ± 1 mmHg) completed this study. There was a significant dose effect of resveratrol on plasma resveratrol concentration (P < 0.001) and on FMD (P < 0.01), which increased from 4.1 ± 0.8% (placebo) to 7.7 ± 1.5% after 270 mg resveratrol. FMD was also linearly related to log10 plasma resveratrol concentration (P < 0.01). Acute resveratrol consumption increased plasma resveratrol concentrations and FMD in a dose-related manner. This effect may contribute to the purported cardiovascular health benefits of grapes and red wine.
