Resveratrol may perform a natural bypass in blocked arteries leading to the heart; Resveratrol improves the formation of collateral capillaries in occluded coronary arteries

Blockage of a main artery leading to the heart (coronary artery) decreases the blood supply to the heart and decreases heart function; this ultimately leads to an enlarged heart and heart failure. During blockage of major arteries leading to the heart, the body actually produces collateral blood vessels to reestablish and maintain blood flow to the heart. These researchers and others have shown that the formation of these new small capillaries leading to the heart, a process called angiogenesis, protect the heart from a lack of oxygen and protect the heart muscle from cell death. In a study by these researchers of heart attack in laboratory animals, giving Resveratrol increased the level of VEGF, a substance made by cells that causes blood vessel creation, improved the formation of new blood vessels leading to the heart and inhibited the death of heart muscle tissue. Giving Resveratrol 3 weeks after a heart attack improved the number of capillaries formed around blocked coronary arteries and improved the pumping effect of the heart (improved left ventricular function). The study was performed at the Molecular Cardiology Laboratory, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Ct., and is published in the December 2005 issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.

These drugs can accelerate heart rate, cause palpitations, lead to changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, cause angina and cardiac arrhythmias, increase anxiety, and agitation; it is not a stretch to consider that they may have serious consequences in isolated cases. Important Note: Parents should not discontinue the use of a drug without first consulting with the appropriate physician.

Trans-Resveratrol may help prevent heart failure

Trans-Resveratrol was given to laboratory animals with enlarged hearts by mouth for 4 weeks. Compared to healthy rats the rats with enlarged hearts had elevated systolic blood pressure, elevated levels of serum Angiotensin II - this hormone released by the kidneys causes blood vessels to constrict, raises blood pressure, and causes urinary retention, and lower levels of nitric oxide - a neurotransmitter that opens blood vessels and helps maintain normal blood pressure. Giving the Resveratrol significantly lowered blood pressure from an average of 154 mm/hg to 135 mm/hg. Resveratrol lowered heart swelling towards normal, Angiotensin II dropped from 744 pg/ml to 930 pg/ml. Nitric oxide improved from 21 micromol/L to 40 micromol/L. In short, Resveratrol helped prevent elevated systolic blood pressure and heart enlargement in these animals. The study was performed at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China and is published in the December 2005 issue of the journal Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.

Rats were split into 3 groups, a control-healthy group, a group with severe acute pancreatitis (caused by giving a chemical), and a group with severe acute pancreatitis supplemented with Resveratrol. Resveratrol decreased the oxidation of pancreatic fats (lipid peroxidation) while improving pancreatic antioxidant status, and in so doing reduced damage to the pancreas, reduced levels of a key blood test demonstrating pancreatic inflammation (reduced serum amylase), reduced the amount of damage in the pancreas, and decreased the infiltration of the pancreas by damaging immune cells. The study is published in the January 7th, 2006 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Resveratrol inhibits already metastasized breast cancer cells

A number of studies have investigated the effects of resveratrol on breast cancer cell growth and replication. In this study the researchers examined the effects of Resveratrol on breast cancer cells that had already metastasized. Resveratrol directly inhibited the growth and proliferation of metastasized breast cancer cells causing the cells to die. Resveratrol affected the metastasized cells by inhibiting the growth cycle of the cell, and by inhibiting telomerase activity (telomerase is an enzyme that confers immortality to cancer cells by allowing them to continuously reproduce themselves; it does this by lengthening the ends of their genes). These activities speak in favor of a potential chemopreventive, and chemotherapeutic role in the fight against breast cancer. The research was performed at the Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine in Rome and is published in the March 28th. 2006 issue of the International Journal of Oncology.