Resveratrol supplementation gender independently improves endothelial reactivity and suppresses superoxide production in healthy rats.

Purpose: Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound mainly abundant in red wines, has beneficial cardiovascular effects on various pathological conditions. However, at present, the effect of resveratrol on health promotion remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed whether long-term resveratrol supplementation changes endothelial function, vascular contractility, nitric oxide and superoxide production in healthy male and female rats.

Methods: Wistar rats were treated with resveratrol (50 mg/l) in their drinking water for 3 weeks. We investigated relaxation to acetylcholine (10(-9)-10(-4) M) and contractions to phenylephrine (10(-9)-3 x 10(-4) M) and angiotensin II (10(-10)-10(-5) M) in either endothelium-intact or denuded aortae from control and resveratrol-treated male and female rats. Aortic superoxide production capacity was measured in response to provocation by angiotensin II and NAD(P)H. Plasma nitrite/nitrate levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also evaluated.

Results: Resveratrol supplementation gender independently increased relaxation to acetylcholine and decreased contractions to phenylephrine and angiotensin II in endothelium-intact aortic rings, but not in endothelium-denuded arteries, from healthy male and female rats. This was associated with increased plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. Furthermore, resveratrol caused a refractoriness to angiotensin II and NAD(P)H-induced provocation in superoxide production.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that resveratrol supplementation gender independently could improve the capacity of endothelial function and suppression of oxidative stress under physiological conditions. Resveratrol ingestion indicates a potential for cardiovascular health promotion.