Effect of resveratrol supplementation on biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis in humans

Anthocyanins as natural bioactives with anti-hypertensive and atherosclerotic potential: Health benefits and recent advances

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a highly prevalent chronic metabolic illness affecting individuals of all age groups. Furthermore, it is a significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis (AS), as a correlation between hypertension and AS has been observed. However, the effective treatments for either of these disorders appear to be uncommon.

METHODS

A systematic search of articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases over the last decade was performed using the following keywords: hypertension, AS, anthocyanins, antioxidants, gut microbes, health benefits, and bioactivity.

RESULTS

The available research indicates that anthocyanin consumption can achieve antioxidant effects by inducing the activation of intracellular nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and the expression of antioxidant genes. Moreover, previous reports showed that anthocyanins can enhance the human body's ability to fight against inflammation and cancer through the inhibition of inflammatory factors and the regulation of related signaling pathways. They can also protect the blood vessels and nervous system by regulating the production and function of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Gut microorganisms play an important role in various chronic diseases. Our research has also investigated the role of anthocyanins in the metabolism of the gut microbiota, leading to significant breakthroughs. This study not only presents a unique strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) without the need for medicine but also provides insights into the development and utilization of intestinal probiotic dietary supplements.

CONCLUSION

In this review, different in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that anthocyanins slow down the onset and progression of hypertension and AS through different mechanisms. In addition, gut microbial metabolites also play a crucial role in diseases through the gut-liver axis.

Trans-resveratrol reduced hepatic oxidative stress in an animal model without inducing an upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2

Trans-resveratrol, a widely used supplement for humans, aims to enhance the body's antioxidant defense. Studies suggest that it exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). In order to evaluate this hypothesis, LDLr(-/-) mice were fed a Western diet to induce liver inflammation and oxidative stress. One group was fed a diet containing 0.60 mg/day of trans-resveratrol (RESV), while another group received no dietary supplementation (CONT). Oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines were assessed in liver homogenates. It was observed that trans-resveratrol decreased hepatic oxidative stress by increasing the GSH/GSSG ratio and reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. However, the RESV group exhibited a reduction in Nrf2 relative expression compared to CONT. Additionally, trans-resveratrol supplementation reduced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) expression but led to an increase in IL-6, with no significant changes observed in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations. Overall, these findings indicate that the in vivo antioxidant impact induced by trans-resveratrol supplementation in hepatic tissue did not correlate with increase of inflammatory cytokines and Nrf2 relative expression. Further exploration of alternative mechanisms, such as direct radical scavenger activity, is warranted to elucidate the antioxidant effect.

Stilbenes: a journey from folklore to pharmaceutical innovation

In modern times, medicine is predominantly based on evidence-based practices, whereas in ancient times, indigenous people relied on plant-based medicines with factual evidence documented in ancient books or folklore that demonstrated their effectiveness against specific infections. Plants and microbes account for 70% of drugs approved by the USFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Stilbenes, polyphenolic compounds synthesized by plants under stress conditions, have garnered significant attention for their therapeutic potential, bridging ancient wisdom with modern healthcare. Resveratrol, the most studied stilbene, initially discovered in grapes, red wine, peanuts, and blueberries, exhibits diverse pharmacological properties, including cardiovascular protection, antioxidant effects, anticancer activity, and neuroprotection. Traditional remedies, documented in ancient texts like the Ayurvedic Charak Samhita, foreshadowed the medicinal properties of stilbenes long before their modern scientific validation. Today, stilbenes are integral to the booming wellness and health supplement market, with resveratrol alone projected to reach a market value of 90 million US$ by 2025. However, challenges in stilbene production persist due to limited natural sources and costly extraction methods. Bioprospecting efforts reveal promising candidates for stilbene production, particularly endophytic fungi, which demonstrate high-yield capabilities and genetic modifiability. However, the identification of optimal strains and fermentation processes remains a critical consideration. The current review emphasizes the knowledge of the medicinal properties of Stilbenes (i.e., cardiovascular, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, etc.) isolated from plant and microbial sources, while also discussing strategies for their commercial production and future research directions. This also includes examples of novel stilbenes compounds reported from plant and endophytic fungi.

Insights into the Therapeutic and Pharmacological Properties of Resveratrol as a Nutraceutical Antioxidant Polyphenol in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic derivative with herbal origin. It has attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Many studies have revealed the benefits of Resveratrol over several human disease models, including heart and neurological diseases, nephroprotective, immune regulation, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, age-related diseases, antiviral, and anticancer in experimental and clinical conditions. Recently, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Resveratrol have been observed, and it has been shown that Resveratrol reduces inflammatory biomarkers, such as tissue degradation factor, cyclooxygenase 2, nitric oxide synthase, and interleukins. All of these activities appear to be dependent on its structural properties, such as the number and position of the hydroxyl group, which regulates oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Resveratrol is well tolerated and safe even at higher pharmacological doses and desirably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic diseases. Consequently, it is plausible that Resveratrol can be regarded as a beneficial nutritional additive and a complementary drug, particularly for therapeutic applications. The present review provides an overview of currently available investigations on preventive and therapeutic characteristics and the main molecular mechanisms of Resveratrol and its potent derivatives in various diseases. Thus, this review would enhance knowledge and information about Resveratrol and encourage researchers worldwide to consider it as a pharmaceutical drug to struggle with future health crises against different human disorders.

Therapeutic Role and Potential Mechanism of Resveratrol in Atherosclerosis: TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α

Atherosclerosis, the main pathological basis of cardiovascular disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that severely affects the quality of human life. Resveratrol (Res) is a natural polyphenol that is a major component of many herbs and foods. The present study analyzed resveratrol from the perspective of visualization and bibliometric analysis and found that resveratrol is closely related to the inflammatory response in cardiovascular diseases (associated with atherosclerosis). To explore the specific molecular mechanism of resveratrol, network pharmacology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used, in which HIF-1α signaling may be a key pathway in the treatment of AS. Furthermore, we induced the polarization of macrophage RAW264.7 to M1 type to generate inflammatory response by the combination of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (200 ng/mL) + interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (2.5 ng/mL). LPS and IFN-γ increased the inflammatory factor levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW264.7, and the proportion of M1-type macrophages also increased, but the expression of inflammatory factors decreased after resveratrol administration, which confirmed the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol in AS. In addition, we found that resveratrol downregulated the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB/hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α). In conclusion, resveratrol has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, alleviates HIF-1α-mediated angiogenesis, and prevents the progression of AS through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The Role of Oxidative Stress in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular system and is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to a state of oxidative stress which is a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis. ROS are important for maintaining vascular health through their potent signalling properties. However, ROS also activate pro-atherogenic processes such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and altered lipid metabolism. As such, considerable efforts have been made to identify and characterise sources of oxidative stress in blood vessels. Major enzymatic sources of vascular ROS include NADPH oxidases, xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide synthases and mitochondrial electron transport chains. The production of ROS is balanced by ROS-scavenging antioxidant systems which may become dysfunctional in disease, contributing to oxidative stress. Changes in the expression and function of ROS sources and antioxidants have been observed in human atherosclerosis while in vitro and in vivo animal models have provided mechanistic insight into their functions. There is considerable interest in utilising antioxidant molecules to balance vascular oxidative stress, yet clinical trials are yet to demonstrate any atheroprotective effects of these molecules. Here we will review the contribution of ROS and oxidative stress to atherosclerosis and will discuss potential strategies to ameliorate these aspects of the disease.

Anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol in patients with cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Chronic inflammation is one of the most important factors involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Accumulating evidence has described the effect of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, on biomarkers of inflammation among patients with CVDs; however, findings are controversial. Here we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of resveratrol supplements on TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP levels in CVDs patients.

METHODS

Online research was conducted in the following database: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases, and Scopus. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the effects of resveratrol supplements on inflammatory biomarkers among patients with CVDs. The meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) V3 software.

RESULTS

Six RCTs met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the current meta-analysis. Our results demonstrated that resveratrol significantly decreases serum levels of CRP (MD= -0.63, 95% CI: -0.1.13, -0.12; p = 0.01), and TNF-α (MD= -0.55, 95% CI: -1.04, -0.06; p = 0.02), however, resveratrol had not significant effect on serum concentration of IL-6 (MD= -0.12, 95% CI: -0.52, 0.27; p = 0.53), in patients with CVDs.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that resveratrol can be used as a potential treatment in patients with CVD by reducing inflammatory conditions.

Neuroprotective Effects of Resveratrol by Modifying Cholesterol Metabolism and Aβ Processing in SAMP8 Mice

Cholesterol metabolism seems dysregulated and linked to amyloid-β (Aβ) formation in neurodegeneration, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly known. Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol with antioxidant activity and neuroprotective properties. Here, we analyzed the effect of age and RSV supplementation on cholesterol metabolism in the brain and blood serum, and its potential link to Aβ processing, in SAMP8 mice—an animal model of aging and Alzheimer’s disease. In the brain, our results revealed an age-related increase in ApoE and unesterified cholesterol in the plasma membrane whereas LDL receptor, HMG-CoA reductase, HMG-CoA-C1 synthase, and ABCA1 transporter remained unaltered. Furthermore, BACE-1 and APP gene expression was decreased. This dysregulation could be involved in the amyloidogenic processing pathway of APP towards Aβ formation. In turn, RSV exhibited an age-dependent effect. While levels of unesterified cholesterol in the plasma membrane were not affected by RSV, several participants in cholesterol uptake, release, and de novo synthesis differed, depending on age. Thus, RSV supplementation exhibited a different neuroprotective effect acting on Aβ processing or cholesterol metabolism in the brain at earlier or later ages, respectively. In blood serum, HDL lipoprotein and free cholesterol were increased by age, whereas VLDL and LDL lipoproteins remained unaltered. Again, the protective effect of RSV by decreasing the LDL or increasing the HDL levels also seems to depend on the intervention’s moment. In conclusion, age is a prominent factor for cholesterol metabolism dysregulation in the brain of SAMP8 mice and influences the protective effects of RSV through cholesterol metabolism and Aβ processing.

Chrono-communication and cardiometabolic health: The intrinsic relationship and therapeutic nutritional promises

Circadian rhythm, an innate 24-h biological clock, regulates several mammalian physiological activities anticipating daily environmental variations and optimizing available energetic resources. The circadian machinery is a complex neuronal and endocrinological network primarily organized into a central clock, suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), and peripheral clocks. Several small molecules generate daily circadian fluctuations ensuring inter-organ communication and coordination between external stimuli, i.e., light, food, and exercise, and body metabolism. As an orchestra, this complex network can be out of tone. Circadian disruption is often associated with obesity development and, above all, with diabetes and cardiovascular disease onset. Moreover, accumulating data highlight a bidirectional relationship between circadian misalignment and cardiometabolic disease severity. Food intake abnormalities, especially timing and composition of meal, are crucial cause of circadian disruption, but evidence from preclinical and clinical studies has shown that food could represent a unique therapeutic approach to promote circadian resynchronization. In this review, we briefly summarize the structure of circadian system and discuss the role playing by different molecules [from leptin to ghrelin, incretins, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15)] to guarantee circadian homeostasis. Based on the recent data, we discuss the innovative nutritional interventions aimed at circadian re-synchronization and, consequently, improvement of cardiometabolic health.