Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene, CAS 501-36-0), a natural
antioxidant and
polyphenol found in grapes and wine, has been found to pharmacologically precondition the heart in
nitric oxide (NO)-dependent manner. In the vascular system, NO functions as an endogenous inhibitor of leukocyte chemotaxis, adherence, and activation. The present study was designed to determine if
resveratrol, through NO, can block the proadhesive molecules generated in the ischemic reperfused myocardium. Isolated hearts were prepared from properly anesthetized rats, and mounted on a Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (i) control, (ii)
resveratrol, and (iii)
resveratrol +
NG-nitro-L-arginine ethyl
ester (
L-NAME). The hearts were perfused in the absence (n = 6) or presence of 10 micromol/L
resveratrol (n=6) or
resveratrol +
L-NAME (n = 6) for 15 min. All the hearts were then subjected to 30 min
ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Ventricular function was monitored,
infarct size and apoptotic cell death measured, and the proadhesive molecules and
malonaldehyde formation determined in the perfusate.
Resveratrol significantly improved postischemic ventricular function and reduced
myocardial infarct size compared to the non-treated control group. The amount of proadhesive molecules including soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1),
endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (sE-
Selectin) and
vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were each significantly decreased during reperfusion in the
resveratrol group.
L-NAME, a NO blocker, completely abolished such beneficial effects of
resveratrol. The results support an anti-inflammatory action of
resveratrol through a NO-dependent mechanism.