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Eur J Pharmacol. 2010 Jun 10;635(1-3):1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2010.02.054. Epub 2010 Mar 19.  Resveratrol, obesity and diabetes. Szkudelska K, Szkudelski T. Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland. tszkudel@jay.up.poznan.pl

Resveratrol belongs to the large group of biologically active substances found in plants. This compound is classified as phytoestrogen because of its ability to interact with estrogen receptor. Numerous beneficial effects of resveratrol described in the literature involve cardioprotective, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action. Recently, this broad spectrum of effects is enlarged by new data demonstrating a great potency of this compound in relation to obesity and diabetes. It is well established that resveratrol exerts beneficial effects in rodents fed a high-calorie diet. In some studies, resveratrol was reported to reduce body weight and adiposity in obese animals. The action of this compound involves favourable changes in gene expressions and in enzyme activities. The accumulating evidence also indicates the benefits of resveratrol in diabetes and diabetic complications. It is known that resveratrol affects insulin secretion and blood insulin concentration. In animals with hyperinsulinemia, resveratrol was found to reduce blood insulin. Moreover, numerous data indicate that in diabetic rats, resveratrol is able to reduce hyperglycemia. The mechanism of resveratrol's action is complex and is demonstrated to involve both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent effects. These data point to the potential possibility of use of resveratrol in preventing and/or treating both obesity and diabetes.

PMID: 20303945

Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009 Apr;87(4):275-86. doi: 10.1139/Y09-013.  Resveratrol: a promising agent in promoting cardioprotection against coronary heart disease.  Penumathsa SV, Maulik N. Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-1110, USA.

The inverse association between alcohol intake and coronary heart disease has been consistently reported in cross-culture, case-control, and cohort studies. Over the past couple of decades, however, many studies have explained promising health benefits associated with wine consumption. Some studies suggest that red wine is more cardioprotective than white wine, possibly due to the increased content of flavanoid antioxidants found in red wine. Several experimental studies, including ours, support the evidence that these beneficial effects are due to resveratrol, the polyphenolic compound present in red wine. Many studies have provided evidence that resveratrol possesses antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects apart from activation of longevity proteins (such as SIRT-1). We have recently reported the angiogenic, antihypercholesterolemic, and antidiabetic effects of resveratrol and the mechanisms involved in reduced ventricular remodeling and increased cardiac functions. We have also shown different strategic target molecules involved in resveratrol-mediated cardioprotection. Therefore, this review discusses the potential effect of resveratrol and the mechanisms involved in resveratrol-mediated cardioprotection during myocardial infarction, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes rendering its beneficial effects during health and disease.

PMID: 19370081