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. 1998 Apr;123(8):1691–1699. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0701784

Effect of trans-resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function

Serenella Rotondo 1,*, Grazyna Rajtar 1,3, Stefano Manarini 1, Antonio Celardo 1, Domenico Rotilio 2, Giovanni de Gaetano 1, Virgilio Evangelista 1, Chiara Cerletti 1
PMCID: PMC1565338  PMID: 9605577

Abstract

  1. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) may contribute to the pathogenesis of acute coronary heart disease (CHD).

  2. Epidemiological and laboratory evidence suggests that red wine, by virtue of its polyphenolic constituents, may be more effective than other alcoholic beverages in reducing the risk of CHD mortality.

  3. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of trans-resveratrol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a polyphenol present in most red wines, on functional and biochemical responses of PMN, upon in vitro activation.

  4. trans-Resveratrol exerted a strong inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species produced by PMN stimulated with 1 μM formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalamine (fMLP) (IC50 1.3±0.13 μM, mean±s.e.mean), as evaluated by luminol-amplified chemiluminescence.

  5. trans-Resveratrol prevented the release of elastase and β-glucuronidase by PMN stimulated with the receptor agonists fMLP (1 μM, IC50 18.4±1.8 and 31±1.8 μM), and C5a (0.1 μM, IC50 41.6±3.5 and 42±8.3 μM), and also inhibited elastase and β-glucuronidase secretion (IC50 37.7±7 and 25.4±2.2 μM) and production of 5-lipoxygenase metabolites leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 6-trans-LTB4 and 12-trans-epi-LTB4 (IC50 48±7 μM) by PMN stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187 (5 μM).

  6. trans-Resveratrol significantly reduced the expression and activation of the β2 integrin MAC-1 on PMN surface following stimulation, as revealed by FACS analysis of the binding of an anti-MAC-1 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and of the CBRM1/5 MoAb, recognizing an activation-dependent epitope on MAC-1. Consistently, PMN homotypic aggregation and formation of mixed cell-conjugates between PMN and thrombin-stimulated fixed platelets in a dynamic system were also prevented by trans-resveratrol.

  7. These results, indicating that trans-resveratrol interferes with the release of inflammatory mediators by activated PMN and down-regulates adhesion-dependent thrombogenic PMN functions, may provide some biological plausibility to the protective effect of red wine consumption against CHD.

Keywords: Coronary heart disease, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, toxic oxygen species, proteolytic enzymes, leukotriene B4, β2 integrins, MAC-1, cell adhesion, red wine polyphenols, trans-resveratrol

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