Resveratrol and endothelial function: a literature review.

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributing factor to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, acute lung injury, preeclampsia, among others. Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring bioactive polyphenol found in grapes and red wine. According to experimental studies, RSV modulates several events involved in endothelial dysfunction such as impaired vasorelaxation, eNOS uncoupling, leukocyte adhesion, endothelial senescence, and EndoMT. Also, the endothelial protective effects of Resveratrol are found to be mediated by numerous molecular targets (e.g. Silent Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1), 5 AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor-erythroid-derived 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), Krüppel-like factor-2 ( KLF2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB). Herein, we present an updated review addressing pharmacological effects and molecular targets of Resveratrol in maintaining endothelial function in order to introduce an effective therapeutic agent for endothelial dysfunction associated disorders.