The effects of resveratrol on aging vessels

Abstract

Aging is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Despite a significant reduction in the mortality and morbidity rates over the last decade, the socio-economic burden of cardiovascular disease is still substantial. Consequently, there is a considerable need for alternative strategies, such as nutraceutical supplementation, that delay the functional vascular decline present in the elderly.Compromised autophagy and oxidative stress (OS) are considered major causes of the age-related endothelial dysfunction. OS reduces the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), which has been associated with hypertension, arteriosclerosis and a reduced vasodilatory response. High levels of free radicals and the low bioavailability of NO lead to a positive feedback loop of further OS, organelle damage, poor repair and endothelial dysfunction. Here we draw attention to the relationship between OS and autophagy in the aged vasculature. We have reviewed the published literature and provided arguments that support that treatment with resveratrol stimulates autophagy and thereby has the potential to restore oxidative balance in the endothelium, which indicates that treatment with resveratrol might have therapeutic potential to restore endothelial function in the elderly.

Use of Nutraceuticals in Angiogenesis-Dependent Disorders

“…Treatment with resveratrol, mainly contained in grapes and berries, has been reported to stimulate autophagy and to restore oxidative balance in cultured endothelium [ 73 ], suggesting a therapeutic potential to recover endothelial function in the elderly.…”

Effect of Chronic Administration of Resveratrol on Cognitive Performance during Aging Process in Rats

“…There is a growing interest in searching for neuroprotective agents from natural products since they contain compounds with high antioxidant power [ 3 ]; in this regard, resveratrol has received considerable attention during the last decade [ 4 ]. Resveratrol is a stilbenoid constituted by the union of a phenolic ring and a phytoalexin, naturally produced by 72 different plant species, especially vines, pines, and legumes [ 5 ].…”

Spermidine to the rescue for an aging heart

“…Resveratrol and spermidine increase autophagy through a similar mechanism 7 , in parallel with a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress that improves cardiovascular protection 8 . Because calorie restriction and its mimetics (for example, resveratrol) confer substantial health benefits to aging animals, it could be suggested that spermidine might be another calorie-restriction mimetic 4 .…”