Resveratrol & Vascular cell adhesion
In addition to inhibition of platelet aggregation and stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, resveratrol has been found to inhibit the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecules. Cell adhesion molecules are proteins located on the surface of cells and are involved in the binding of cells to each other or to a surface or matrix. While the binding of cells provides a stable environment for the normal activity of cell growth, differentiation, and migration, it also contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. Vascular cell adhesion molecules play a role in recruiting inflammatory white blood cells from the blood to the arterial wall. Their activity contributes to the development of atherosclerosis, which involves the hardening and narrowing of arteries. It is a slow, progressive disease wherein deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and other substances build up in the inner lining of the artery. Atherosclerosis is associated with increased risk of heart attack.
Researchers in Italy in 2003 found that resveratrol was one of the polyphenols in red wine and olive oil that reduced endothelial adhesion molecule expression. Another study in Italy in 1998 focused on the ability of resveratrol to inhibit adhesion molecule expression and to block the adhesion of monocytes and granulocytes to endothelial cells. It found that at concentrations as low as 1 micromol/L and 100 nmol/L, resveratrol significantly inhibited intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression.
Still other studies have found that resveratrol inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. These cells compose the majority of the cells found within the wall of blood vessels. They differ from other smooth muscle cells in the predominance of vimentin filaments and a specific alpha-type actin. Their proliferation plays an important role in the progression of atherosclerosis.
Resveratrol has additionally been tested on animals for its effect on cardiovascular problems. Researchers in Japan tested mice fed with resveratrol as part of their diet. A significant decrease of approximately 30% was found in formation of the hardening of the artery walls as well as a significant decrease of about 25% of the size of the mice’s laser-induced blood clots in the carotid arteries. On the other hand, another resveratrol study with rabbits tested by researchers from Iowa State University found that those animals fed with resveratrol had more atherosclerosis lesions than those which were not fed resveratrol. They concluded that resveratrol promoted the development of atherosclerosis, rather than inhibit it.
