The Repeated Administration of Resveratrol Has Measurable Effects on Circulating T-Cell Subsets in Humans

Abstract

Preclinical studies have shown that resveratrol exerts immunomodulatory effects with potential clinical value in the amelioration of autoimmune disorders and cancer prevention; however, little is known about the in vivo effects of this naturally occurring polyphenol on human immune cells. We assessed the effects of repeated doses of resveratrol (1000 mg/day for 28 days) on circulating immune cells in healthy Japanese individuals. Resveratrol was safe and well tolerated and was associated with significant increases in the numbers of circulating γδ T cells and regulatory T cells and resulted in small, yet significant, decreases in the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and MCP-1 and a significant increase in the plasma antioxidant activity compared with the corresponding antioxidant baseline activity and with that in four control individuals. In in vitro studies, resveratrol significantly improved the growth of γδ T cells and regulatory T cells. These findings demonstrate that resveratrol has some clear biological effects on human circulating immune cells. Further studies are necessary to interpret the long-term immunological changes associated with resveratrol treatment.

Phenolic Compounds Exerting Lipid-Regulatory, Anti-Inflammatory and Epigenetic Effects as Complementary Treatments in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…The results concerning anti-inflammatory potential of RSV in humans were contradictory, some studies evidencing a positive effect in healthy people [143], others showing no effects in postmenopausal women [144]. The contrasting results suggest that in order to obtain beneficial effects, the dose and the way of administration have to be carefully analyzed.…”

Significance of Resveratrol in Clinical Management of Chronic Diseases

“…Decreased methylation of the tumor suppressor gene RASSF1 was observed in patients with breast cancer taking RSV for 3 months (5 or 50 mg in two doses/day) leading to reduced levels of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) which promotes cancer [ 23 ]. A preclinical study reported an improvement in the autoimmune system through RSV-mediated increase in T-cells [ 118 ]. In addition, the antitumor potential of RSV and its mode of action in cisplatin-resistant human oral cancer CAR cells was tested and excellent autophagic and apoptotic activity were found [ 119 ].…”

New Insights on the Pathogenesis of Takayasu Arteritis: Revisiting the Microbial Theory

“…Novel therapeutic options, especially the use of biological agents, including agents against tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), rituximab (RTX) and tocilizumab (an inhibitor of interleukin 6 receptor IL-6R) in patients who do not respond to conventional immunosuppressive regimens have shown promising benefits [ 7 , 8 ], and the efficacy of this approach has been tested in randomized controlled trials recently [ 31 , 32 ]. Interestingly, the naturally derived stilbenoids curcumin and resveratrol, whose health-promoting properties have been extensively studied in preclinical models [ 33 ], were recently tested in two randomized trials in Chinese patients with TAK and the authors observed modest clinical responses in the interventional arms, compared with placebo groups that were attributed to the anti-TNF-α effects of these compounds [ 34 , 35 ] and likely to the properties of these agents to increase the proportion of circulating regulatory T cells (Treg) [ 36 , 37 ] since TAK patients have a reduced number of Treg cells [ 38 , 39 ].…”