Novel resveratrol supplement and vascular function
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: Novel resveratrol supplement and vascular function Resveratrol, a compound found in red grapes, red wine, peanuts and some berries, has been touted in the popular press for its potential health-promoting benefits. While resveratrol supplementation has been reported to increase average lifespans in mouse, fish and fruit fly models, its potential role in human health and well-being is a subject of debate. Emerging evidence suggests a role for resveratrol in protection against degenerative health problems such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, and possibly for diabetes and neurodegeneration. Our research group has studied other botanical compounds in red grapes and red wine that are closely related to resveratrol (called flavanols and procyanidins) for their cardioprotective benefits, and this UC Discovery Grant proposal is designed to utilize our existing strengths in clinical nutrition and cardiovascular function to test a novel resveratrol complex. One of the main limitations of resveratrol is its rapid metabolism, so supplements of resveratrol are rapidly degraded and excreted. Novel forms of this supplement that resist degradation and remain in the body’s circulation for longer periods could in theory provide more exposure and potentially more benefit than resveratrol found in foods, beverages or dietary supplements. A California-based company has recently formulated four novel resveratrol conjugates, which were fed to rats and blood levels were monitored. Compared to resveratrol alone, one of the complexes (ResA) showed up to seven times greater maximum plasma concentration and up to four times greater concentration over a six hour period. This novel conjugate was also 23 times more soluble than resveratrol alone. The potential market demand for an effective resveratrol supplement is enormous. In 2008, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) paid over 700 million dollars to acquire a portfolio of resveratrol compounds to test for effects on Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cancer. A recent human study using a form of resveratrol different than those in the GSK patent also reported significant improvements in blood flow as measured by flow mediated dilation within 1.5 hours after a single dose of 30, 90 or 270 mg of resveratrol compared to a placebo, although details about the molecular structure of the resveratrol complex were not disclosed in the paper. Compared to data reported in the patent for the GSK resveratrol compounds, the ResA conjugate produces higher peak plasma levels as well as total plasma levels that persist for a longer period of time when fed to rats. Utilizing our existing strengths in vascular assessment of bioactive compounds, we propose to test the effects of ResA in a human study. After approval from the UC Davis Human Subjects Review Committee, postmenopausal women with moderately elevated serum cholesterol levels or blood pressure will be given either one of two levels of the Res A supplement or a pla