Resveratrol is a famous plant extract that has been shown to extend life in yeast and lower animals because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, it seems that resveratrol suppresses inflammation in human beings. This assumption has been made based on the results that have been obtained from the initial prospective human trial of the extract that has been conducted by the University at Buffalo endocrinologists. The result of the study that has been carried out has appeared as a rapid electronic publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism website. The result will also be published in a future print issue of the said journal.
Furthermore, the paper has been chosen to be included in Translational Research in Endocrinology & Metabolism. The latter is a novel online anthology that focuses on the most recent clinical applications of advanced research from journals of the Endocrine Society.
When a number of plants are under attack by pathogens, like fungi or bacteria, the compound, resveratrol, is produced naturally. It can be found in red wine as well as in the skin of red grapes. Moreover, it is produced through chemical synthesis that derived mainly from Japanese knotweed. Additionally, it is sold like a nutritional supplement.
In accordance to Husam Ghamin, a PhD, who is a UB research assistant professor of medicine in addition to being the senior author of the study, resveratrol has been demonstrated to extend life other than bringing a reduction in the rate of aging in yeast, fruit flies and roundworms. These actions are thought to be influenced by an increased in the expression of a specific gene that is linked with longevity.
Besides, the compound is considered to play a part in the resistance of insulin as well. This condition is associated with oxidative stress which has a considerable damaging impact on health in general.
One of UB eminent professor of medicine, Paresh Dandona, MD, PhD, who is also a leading author of the study, says that since there is no illustrating impact of resveratrol on oxidative and inflammatory stress in human beings. He explains that they decided to verify if there is the possibility that the compound can bring a reduction in the level of oxidative as well as inflammatory stress in man.
He adds that several of the main mediators of insulin resistance are pro-inflammatory as well. They therefore examined the impact of resveratrol on the way they express themselves.
The study which was directed by Dandona was carried out at Kaleida Health’s Diabetes-Endocrinology Center of Western New York.
A nutritional complement that contained 40 milligrams of resveratrol was made used of as the active product. Twenty random participants were categorised in two groups of ten. One of the two groups was given the supplement. On the other hand, the other group was given a similar pill but containing no active ingredient. The participants were given the pill once on a daily basis for a period of six weeks. Fasting blood samples were gathered at the beginning of the trial as well at week one, three and finally six.
The results demonstrated that resveratrol was able to suppress the generation of free radicals or reactive oxygen species. The later is also referred to as being unstable molecules that are famous for causing oxidative stress and hence discharge pro-inflammatory factors in the blood stream. As a consequence, this results in harm to the blood vessel lining.
The blood samples that were gathered from the people who were taking the resveratrol also confirmed that it suppressed inflammatory protein tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in addition to likewise compounds that leads to a rise in the inflammation of blood vessels and cause interference in insulin action, thus leading to insulin resistance and the probability of developing diabetes.
As Dandona noted, over the long term, these inflammatory factors have an effect on the growth of type 2 diabetes, stroke, heart disease and aging.
On the other hand, the blood samples that were taken for the persons who received the pill without the resveratrol demonstrated no alteration in these pro-inflammatory markers.
Even though these results are quite promising, Dandona included a note of caution; the study that was conducted did not eradicate the probability that something found in the extract other than resveratrol was accountable for the anti-inflammatory effects.
He adds that the product that they used contained a mere 20 percent of resveratrol. Therefore, there is the possibility that something else in the preparation might be accountable for the optimistic effects. It is even possible that these agents are more powerful than resveratrol. They acknowledge that purer preparations are nowadays available and they do intend to test them.
Source: E-sciencenews
Sun, Aug 22, 2010
Anti Aging Products, Bioscience, Health And Aging