[Resveratrol stimulates extracellular matrix synthesis in degenerative nucleus pulposus cells via upregulation of SIRT1].

Aim: To study the impact of resveratrol (RES) on the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) in degenerative nucleus pulposus cells (DNPCs).

Methods: Human degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues were isolated, identified through monolayer culture, and cultivated in alginate. Primary alginate-cultured DNPCs were irritated by 0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 μmol/L RES for 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The protein expressions of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), Colla2α1 and aggrecan were examined by Western blotting, and the expression level of SIRT1 mRNA was measured through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The cells were transfected by SIRT1-siRNA and cultured in 100 μmol/L RES for 24 h. Then the protein expressions of Colla2α1 and aggrecan were observed.

Results: RES up-regulated the expressions of SIRT1 at mRNA and protein levels, and promoted the expression of DNPCs-synthesized ECM, which were significantly different from the control group (P<0.05). After the expression of SIRT1 was silenced by siRNA, RES was added for irritation. The protein expressions of Colla2α1 and aggrecan were significantly reduced in comparison with the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: RES can stimulate the synthesis of ECM in DNPCs, which exhibits a dose-effect relationship. This regulating effect is related to the activity of SIRT1.