Red wine and equivalent oral pharmacological doses of resveratrol delay vascular aging but do not extend life span in rats

ObjectiveTo investigate, in male Wistar rats, the effects of long-term moderate red wine (RW) consumption (equivalent to ∼0.15 mg% resveratrol RS), or RS in low (L, 0.15 mg%) or high (H, 400 mg%) doses in chow.BackgroundBoth RW and RS exhibit cardioprotection. RS extends lifespan in obese rats. It is unclear whether RW consumption or low-dose RS delay vascular aging and prolong life span in the absence of overt risk factors.MethodsEndpoints were aerobic performance, exercise capacity, aging biomarkers (p53,p16,p21, telomere length and telomerase activity in aortic homogenates), vascular reactivity. Data were compared with controls (C) given regular chow.ResultsExpressions of p53 decreased ∼50% ∼with RW and LRS (p < 0.05 vs. C), p16 by ∼29% with RW (p < 0.05 vs. C) and p21 was unaltered. RW and LRS increased telomere length >6.5-fold vs. C, and telomerase activity increased with LRS and HRS. All treatments increased aerobic capacity (C 32.5 ± 1.2, RW 38.7 ± 1.7, LRS 38.5 ± 1.6, HRS 38.3 ± 1.8 mlO2 min−1 kg−1), and RW or LRS also improved time of exercise tolerance vs. C (p < 0.05). Endothelium-dependent relaxation improved with all treatments vs. C. Life span, however, was unaltered with each treatment vs. C = 673 ± 30 days, p = NS.ConclusionsRW and LRS can preserve vascular function indexes in normal rats, although not extending life span. These effects were translated into better aerobic performance and exercise capacity.

▸ Red wine and low resveratrol improved endothelial function. ▸ Red wine and resveratrol improved exercise tolerance. ▸ Red wine and resveratrol decreased P53, P16. ▸ Red wine and resveratrol increased telomere length and telomerase activity. ▸ Red wine and resveratrol did not affect survival.