The effects of resveratrol and exercise on age and gender-dependent alterations of vascular functions and biomarkers

Effects of exercise-targeted hippocampal PDE-4 methylation on synaptic plasticity and spatial learning/memory impairments in D-galactose-induced aging rats

Physical exercise reduces the effects of aging and cognitive decline by improving synaptic plasticity and spatial learning. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. A total of 45 Male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were acclimatized and then allocated into three groups, 15 in each group: the saline control (DC) group, D-gal-induced aging (DA) group, and D-gal-induced aging + exercise (DE) group. Six weeks of intraperitoneal injections of D-gal at a concentration of 100 mg/kg body weight/d was injected to establish model of aging in the DA and DE groups. Morris water maze test was implemented to evaluate the hippocampus related cognition. SOD activity and MDA was tested to assess the aging in all groups. H&E and Nissl staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of hippocampal neurons in aging rats. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunofluorescence staining techniques were used to investigate the expression of synaptic genes and proteins in the hippocampus. Massarray methylation system was employed to measure the PDE-4 gene methylation level in rat hippocampal tissues. Our results demonstrated that exercise intervention improves cognitive function in D-gal-induced aging rats. The methylation of CpG sites in PDE-4 in the hippocampus was significantly increased. The physical exercise significantly increased PDE-4 gene methylation and effectively decreased PDE-4 gene and protein expression. These beneficial behavioral and morphological effects were attributed to PDE-4 methylation, which was activated cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway and improved synaptic plasticity. Exercise induced PDE-4 methylation is key mechanism underpinning the amelioration of learning/memory impairment, suggesting the potential efficacy of physical exercise training in delaying brain aging.

Resveratrol, a Multitasking Molecule That Improves Skeletal Muscle Health

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol utilized in Chinese traditional medicine and thought to be one of the determinants of the "French Paradox". More recently, some groups evidenced its properties as a calorie-restriction mimetic, suggesting that its action passes through the modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. Accordingly, the number of studies reporting the beneficial effects of resveratrol on skeletal muscle form and function, in both experimental models and humans, is steadily increasing. Although studies on animal models confer to resveratrol a good potential to ameliorate skeletal muscle structure, function and performance, clinical trials still do not provide clear-cut information. Here, we first summarize the effects of resveratrol on the distinct components of the skeletal muscle, such as myofibers, the neuromuscular junction, tendons, connective sheaths and the capillary bed. Second, we review clinical trials focused on the analysis of skeletal muscle parameters. We suggest that the heterogeneity in the response to resveratrol in humans could depend on sample characteristics, treatment modalities and parameters analyzed; as well, this heterogeneity could possibly reside in the complexity of skeletal muscle physiology. A systematic programming of treatment protocols and analyses could be helpful to obtain consistent results in clinical trials involving resveratrol administration.

The Influence of Antioxidants on Oxidative Stress-Induced Vascular Aging in Obesity

Obesity is a worldwide trend that is growing in incidence very fast. Adipose tissue dysfunction caused by obesity is associated with the generation of oxidative stress. Obesity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. Vascular aging is one of the main pathogenesis mechanisms. The aim of this study is to review the effect of antioxidants on vascular aging caused by oxidative stress in obesity. In order to achieve this aim, this paper is designed to review obesity-caused adipose tissue remodeling, vascular aging generated by high levels of oxidative stress, and the effects of antioxidants on obesity, redox balance, and vascular aging. It seems that vascular diseases in obese individuals are complex networks of pathological mechanisms. In order to develop a proper therapeutic tool, first, there is a need for a better understanding of interactions between obesity, oxidative stress, and aging. Based on these interactions, this review suggests different lines of strategies that include change in lifestyle to prevent and control obesity, strategies for adipose tissue remodelling, oxidant-antioxidant balance, inflammation suppression, and strategies against vascular aging. Some antioxidants support different lines of these strategies, making them appropriate for complex conditions such as oxidative stress-induced vascular diseases in obese individuals.

Resveratrol as a Promising Polyphenol in Age-Associated Cardiac Alterations

According to a widely accepted theory, oxidative stress is considered to be the number one trigger of aging-associated degenerative processes including cardiovascular diseases. In the context of aging-research, resveratrol receives special attention with its surprising number of health benefits. The aim of our study was to examine the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this dietary polyphenol in aging rat heart. 20-month-old female and male Wistar rats were divided into control (untreated) and resveratrol-treated groups. Resveratrol was administered at a dose of 0.05 mg/ml for 12 weeks dissolved in drinking water, while the control rats received ad libitum water. Cardiac level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and glutathione (GSH) parameters, as well as the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes were detected. Together with the biochemical measurements, hearts were isolated and used for an exposure of ischemic-reperfusion injury via Langendorff perfusion system. 12 week of resveratrol treatment suppressed the age-related inflammatory pathways including the expression of TNF-α, NFκB, and the activity of MPO while intensified the endogenous antioxidant defenses through the induction of GSH and HO system. Presumably, as a result of these processes, the necrotic area of the heart in response to an acute injury was also significantly reduced in the resveratrol-treated groups. Our findings confirmed that resveratrol has cardioprotective effects at several points by counteracting the aging-associated cellular malfunctions in the heart.

Resveratrol and regular exercise may attenuate hypertension-induced cardiac dysfunction through modulation of cellular stress responses

AIMS

Hypertension is one of the major causes of cardiac damage. In this study, the effects of resveratrol supplementation and regular exercise on hypertension-induced cellular stress responses of myocardium were compared.

MAIN METHODS

Hypertension was induced in male Wistar rats by deoxycorticosterone-acetate + salt administration for 12 weeks. Resveratrol and regular exercise were applied for the last six weeks. In addition to biochemical and molecular examinations, isoprenaline, phenylephrine and, acetylcholine-mediated contractions and sinus rate were recorded in the isolated cardiac tissues.

KEY FINDINGS

Resveratrol and regular exercise reduced systolic blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The altered adrenergic and cholinergic responses of the right atrium and left papillary muscles in hypertension were separately improved by resveratrol and regular exercise. Resveratrol and regular exercise decreased plasma and cardiac total antioxidant capacity and, augmented the expression of antioxidant genes in hypertensive rats. While regular exercise restored the increase in p-PERK expression associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and decrease in mitophagic marker PINK1 expression, resveratrol only ameliorated PINK1 expression in hypertensive rats. Resveratrol and exercise training suppressed hypertension-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation by reversing the increase in NLRP3, p-NF-κB expression and the mature-IL-1β/pro-IL-1β and cleaved-caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio. Resveratrol and exercise enhanced mRNA expression of caspase-3, bax, and bcl-2 involved in the apoptotic pathway, but attenuated phosphorylation of stress-related mitogenic proteins p38 and JNK induced by hypertension.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our study demonstrated the protective effect of resveratrol and exercise on hypertension-induced cardiac dysfunction by modulating cellular stress responses including oxidative stress, ER stress, mitophagy, NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammation, and mitogenic activation.

Effects of Functional Phenolics Dietary Supplementation on Athletes' Performance and Recovery: A Review

In recent years, many efforts have been made to identify micronutrients or nutritional strategies capable of preventing, or at least, attenuating, exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, and improving athlete performance. The reason is that most exercises induce various changes in mitochondria and cellular cytosol that lead to the generation of reactive species and free radicals whose accumulation can be harmful to human health. Among them, supplementation with phenolic compounds seems to be a promising approach since their chemical structure, composed of catechol, pyrogallol, and methoxy groups, gives them remarkable health-promoting properties, such as the ability to suppress inflammatory processes, counteract oxidative damage, boost the immune system, and thus, reduce muscle soreness and accelerate recovery. Phenolic compounds have also already been shown to be effective in improving temporal performance and reducing psychological stress and fatigue. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize and discuss the current knowledge on the effects of dietary phenolics on physical performance and recovery in athletes and sports practitioners. Overall, the reports show that phenolics exert important benefits on exercise-induced muscle damage as well as play a biological/physiological role in improving physical performance.

MEF2A Is the Trigger of Resveratrol Exerting Protection on Vascular Endothelial Cell

Both resveratrol and myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) may protect vascular endothelial cell (VEC) through activating the expression of SIRT1. However, the relationship between resveratrol and MEF2A is unclear. We aimed to investigate the deeper mechanism of resveratrol in protecting vascular endothelial cells and whether MEF2A plays a key role in the protective function of resveratrol. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) was used for in vitro study, and small interfere RNA was used for silencing MEF2A. Silencing MEF2A in the vascular endothelium (VE) of ApoE^−/− mice was performed by tail injection with adeno associated virus expressing si-mef2a-shRNA. The results showed that treatment of HUVEC with resveratrol significantly up-regulated MEF2A, and prevented H₂O₂-induced but not siRNA-induced down-regulation of MEF2A. Under various experimental conditions, the expression of SIRT1 changed with the level of MEF2A. Resveratrol could rescue from cell apoptosis, reduction of cell proliferation and viability induced by H₂O₂, but could not prevent against that caused by silencing MEF2A with siRNA. Silencing MEF2A in VE of apoE^−/− mice decreased the expression of SIRT1, increased the plasma LDL-c, and abrogated the function of resveratrol on reducing triglyceride. Impaired integrity of VE and aggravated atherosclerotic lesion were observed in MEF2A silenced mice through immunofluorescence and oil red O staining, respectively. In conclusion, resveratrol enhances MEF2A expression, and the upregulation of MEF2A is required for the endothelial protective benefits of resveratrol in vitro via activating SIRT1. Our work has also explored the in vivo relevance of this signaling pathway in experimental models of atherosclerosis and lipid dysregulation, setting the stage for more comprehensive phenotyping in vivo and further defining the molecular mechanisms.

Direct determination of boscalid in grape samples by differential pulse voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode

A new methodology to determine directly the fungicide boscalid (BSC) was developed and successfully applied in red grape 100% juice, peel extracts, pulp and purple grape seeds (Vitis labrusca L.) with a working carbon paste electrode (CPE) without sample preparation. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) indicated the presence of an irreversible cathodic process of BSC at -1.21 V vs. Ag|AgCl (KCl 3.0 mol L^-1) in a solution of 0.100 mol L^-1 HCl/acetone 70 : 30 (v/v). This behavior was also observed using Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV). The Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) technique proved to be more sensitive and with higher selectivity for BSC quantification. The influence of pH on the reduction of BSC was investigated in Britton-Robinson Buffer (BRB), 0.01 mol L^-1 (pH 2.00-12.00). The limit of detection (LOD) values obtained from calibration curves for different samples were as follows: 0.107 mg L^-1 for deionized water; 0.146 mg L^-1 for red grape 100% juice; 0.922 mg kg^-1 for peel extracts; 0.818 mg kg^-1 for grape pulp and 0.691 mg kg^-1 for grape seeds. The corresponding Limit of Quantification (LOQ) values for the same samples were as follows: 0.358 mg L^-1; 0.486 mg L^-1; 2.87 mg kg^-1; 2.73 mg kg^-1 and 2.51 mg kg^-1, respectively. In addition, the recovery rates for the different concentration levels in the investigated range varied between 97.13 and 103.4%. All tests performed with the samples did not require extraction or pre-concentration steps of BSC, resulting in a fast, simple and cheap methodology.

Effects of Resveratrol on Receptor Expression and Serum Levels of Estrogen and Progesterone in the Rat Endometritis Model

Endometritis is characterized by inflammation of the endometrial lining that leads to reduced reproductive potential. Restoring the impaired hormonal balance is an important component of endometritis treatment. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on estrogen and progesterone hormone status in endometritis. Mature female Sprague Dawley rats were used, and endometritis was induced by intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli. Animals were treated with resveratrol alone or combined with marbofloxacin. Compared to the non-treated endometritis group, resveratrol treatment reduced serum oestradiol levels, increased serum progesterone levels, enhanced estrogen receptor (ER) expression in the uterine stroma, decreased ESR1 gene expression, and raised ESR2 gene expression. Resveratrol administration combined with marbofloxacin also increased ER expression in the uterine gland and progesterone receptor expression in the uterine epithelium. The findings of this study suggest that the actions of resveratrol on progesterone levels and estrogen receptor expression might be responsible for its beneficial effect in rats with endometritis.

Effects and Mechanisms of Resveratrol on Aging and Age-Related Diseases

The aging of population has become an issue of great concern because of its rapid increase. Aging is an important risk factor of many chronic diseases. Resveratrol could be found in many foods, such as grapes, red wine, peanuts, and blueberries. Many studies reported that resveratrol possessed various bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protection, anticancer, antidiabetes mellitus, antiobesity, neuroprotection, and antiaging effects. The antiaging mechanisms of resveratrol were mainly ameliorating oxidative stress, relieving inflammatory reaction, improving mitochondrial function, and regulating apoptosis. Resveratrol could be an effective and safe compound for the prevention and treatment of aging and age-related diseases. In this review, we summarize the effects of resveratrol on aging, life extension, and several age-related diseases, with special attention paid to the mechanisms of antiaging action.

Dosage effects of resveratrol on thymus involution in D-galactose-treated mice

The thymus regulates a specific microenvironment for the growth and maturation of naive T cells. Involution of immune function was an important factor during body aging. Preventing the senescence of immune organs has become a major medical issue. Resveratrol (RSV) has been proved to delay the aging of many organs including the thymus. However, the underlying mechanism remains indefinite and the dosages of RSV on thymus involution need to be further clarified. In the current study, the senescence-accelerated mice were produced using d-galactose for two months. RSV at different dosages (25, 50, 100 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ) was then administered. The alteration of the thymic morphological structure was observed. It showed that three dosages of RSV significantly decreased cellular senescence of the thymus and no dosage difference was detected. For cellular proliferation and apoptosis of the thymus, 50 and 25 mg/kg per day of RSV displayed the best effects on cellular proliferation and apoptosis in the thymus, respectively. Furthermore, 50 mg/kg per day of RSV increased the expression of FoxN1 both at transcription and translation levels. These findings indicated that RSV could delay thymus atrophy in a dosage-dependent pattern and FoxN1 might involve in the beneficial mechanism of RSV, which was of great significance for the enhancement of thymic health and organic immunity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Resveratrol has been proved to delay aging of many organs including of thymus. In the present study, we explored the dosage of resveratrol on thymus involution and the expression of transcription factors forkhead box protein N1 (FoxN1) in the senescenceaccelerated mice induced by D-galactose. The results indicated that resveratrol could delay thymus atrophy in a dosage-dependent pattern within a certain dose range, and higher RSV concentration may have drug toxicity, which suggests that the dosage of RSV requires attention, And FoxN1 might involve in the beneficial mechanism of resveratrol supplement, which was of great significance to explore the mechanism for the enhancement of thymus immunity.

Resveratrol ameliorates thymus senescence changes in D-galactose induced mice

The thymic microenvironment plays an important role in the development of T cells. A decrease of thymic epithelial cells is the main cause of age-related thymic atrophy or degeneration. Resveratrol (RSV), a phytoalexin produced from plants, has been shown to inhibit the adverse effects of dietary obesity on the structure and function of the thymus. D-Galactose (D-gal) can induce accelerated aging in mice. In the present study, young mice (2 months old) were injected with D-gal (120 mg/kg/day) for 8 consecutive weeks to construct an accelerated aging model. Compared with normal control mice, the thymus epithelium of the D-gal treated mice had structural changes, the number of senescent cells increased, the number of CD4+ T cells decreased, and CD8+ T cells increased. After RSV administration by gavage for 6 weeks, it was found that RSV improved the surface phenotypes of D-gal treated mice, and recovered thymus function by maintaining the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ cells. It also indicated that RSV enhanced the cell proliferation and inhibited cell senescence. Increased autoimmune regulator (Aire) expression was present in the RSV treated mice. The lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTβR) expression also increased. These findings suggested that RSV intake could restore the alterations caused by D-gal treatment in the thymus via stimulation of Aire expression.

Heterogeneous effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries

Aging is associated with impaired vascular function characterized in part by attenuated vasorelaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Due to structural and functional differences between conduit and resistance arteries, the effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses may vary along the arterial tree. Our purpose was to determine age-related differences in vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries. Responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed in abdominal aorta (AA), iliac arteries (IA), femoral arteries (FA), and gastrocnemius feed arteries (GFA) from young and old male rats. ACh-mediated vasorelaxation was significantly impaired in old AA and IA. SNP-mediated vasorelaxation was impaired in old AA. To investigate a potential mechanism for impaired relaxation responses in AA and IA, we assessed eNOS protein content and interactions with caveolin-1 (Cav-1), and calmodulin (CaM) via immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. We found no age differences in eNOS content or interactions with Cav1 and CaM. Combined data from all rats revealed that eNOS content was higher in IA compared to AA and FA (p < .001), and was higher in GFA than AA (p < .05). Cav1:eNOS interaction was greater in FA than in AA and IA (p < .01), and in GFA compared to IA (p < .05). No differences in CaM:eNOS were detected. In conclusion, age-related impairment of vasorelaxation responses occurred in the large conduit, but not small conduit or resistance arteries. These detrimental effects of age were not associated with changes in eNOS or its interactions with Cav-1 or CaM.

The interaction between resveratrol and two forms of copper as carbonate and nanoparticles on antioxidant mechanisms and vascular function in Wistar rats

BACKGROUND

Experimental studies have emphasized that cardiovascular alterations can be improved by the long-term use of resveratrol (trans-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene; RSV) as well as dietary copper (Cu) intake.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were supplemented for 8 weeks with Cu (6.5 mg/kg diet) as either nanoparticles (40 nm, CuNPs) or carbonate (CuCO3). Half of the studied animals were supplemented with RSV (500 mg/kg diet). Vascular function and blood plasma antioxidant status, expressed as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were analyzed. The activity of ceruloplasmin (Cp), lipid profile, fasting glucose, and concentrations of Cu and zinc (Zn) were analyzed.

RESULTS

RSV supplementation resulted in the elevated activity of SOD and decreased CAT, GPx and LDL-cholesterol in both groups. RSV supplementation on CuNPs increased the participation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids and decreased ACh-induced vasodilation, while the participation of hyperpolarizing mechanism(s) was restored by activating KATP channels. Blood plasma glucose was decreased. RSV supplementation on CuCO3 enhanced ACh- and SNP-induced vasodilation and decreased NA-induced vasoconstriction. The lipid profile was improved, as well as Zn concentration. Meanwhile, Cu and Cp, and the markers of lipid peroxidation, reflected as LOOH and MDA, were decreased.

CONCLUSION

The use of RSV during CuCO3 intake improves vascular responses, the lipid profile and the antioxidant mechanism(s). The beneficial role of RSV was not observed in the CuNP group and decreased ACh-induced vasodilation and increased participation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids in the vascular regulation were noticed.

Controversial Impact of Sirtuins in Chronic Non-Transmissible Diseases and Rehabilitation Medicine

A large body of evidence reports about the positive effects of physical activity in pathophysiological conditions associated with aging. Physical exercise, alone or in combination with other medical therapies, unquestionably causes reduction of symptoms in chronic non-transmissible diseases often leading to significant amelioration or complete healing. The molecular basis of this exciting outcome—however, remain largely obscure. Epigenetics, exploring at the interface between environmental signals and the remodeling of chromatin structure, promises to shed light on this intriguing matter possibly contributing to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we shall focalize on the role of sirtuins (Sirts) a class III histone deacetylases (HDACs), which function has been frequently associated, often with a controversial role, to the pathogenesis of aging-associated pathophysiological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular, muscular, neurodegenerative, bones and respiratory diseases. Numerous studies, in fact, demonstrate that Sirt-dependent pathways are activated upon physical and cognitive exercises linking mitochondrial function, DNA structure remodeling and gene expression regulation to designed medical therapies leading to tangible beneficial outcomes. However, in similar conditions, other studies assign to sirtuins a negative pathophysiological role. In spite of this controversial effect, it is doubtless that studying sirtuins in chronic diseases might lead to an unprecedented improvement of life quality in the elderly.