Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilben), a phenolic
antioxidant synthesized in grapes and other plants, and also present in wine, has been suggested to help prevent cardiovascular events. In this study the influence of
resveratrol on platelet aggregation during a model of
hyperhomocysteinemia was investigated. We induced
hyperhomocysteinemia using a reduced form of Hcys (final dose, 0.1 mM) and the most reactive form of Hcys, its cyclic thioester,
homocysteine thiolactone (HTL, 1 µM). The aim of our study in vitro was also to investigate
superoxide anion radical (O(2)(-)) generation after incubation of platelets with Hcys, HTL, and
resveratrol. We have observed that HTL, like its precursor Hcys, stimulated the generation of (O(2)(-) in platelets and caused an augmentation of platelet aggregation induced by the strong physiological agonist
thrombin. Our results in vitro also demonstrated that
resveratrol reduced the
toxic action of Hcys and HTL on blood platelet aggregation and
superoxide anion radical production in platelets, suggesting its potential protective effects on hemostasis are negatively influenced by
homocysteine and its derivatives.