BackgroundResveratrol is a polyphenolic compound commonly found in the
skins of red grapes. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a human gene that is activated
by resveratrol and has been shown to promote longevity and boost
mitochondrial metabolism. We examined the effect of resveratrol
on normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human chondrocytes.MethodsNormal and OA chondrocytes were incubated with various concentrations
of resveratrol (1 µM, 10 µM, 25 µM and 50 µM) and cultured for 24,
48 or 72 hours or for six weeks. Cell proliferation, gene expression,
and senescence were evaluated.ResultsSIRT1 was significantly upregulated in normal chondrocytes with
resveratrol concentrations of 25 µM and 50 µM on both two- (2D)
(both p = 0.001) and three-dimensional (3D) cultures (p = 0.008
and 0.001, respectively). It was significantly upregulated in OA
chondrocytes treated with 10 µM, 25 µM and 50 µM resveratrol on
2D cultures (p = 0.036, 0.002 and 0.001, respectively) and at 50
µM concentration on 3D cultures (p = 0.001). At 72 hours, the expression
of collagen (COL)-10, aggrecan (AGG), and runt-related transcription
factor 2 (RUNX2) was significantly greater in both 25 µM (p = 0.011,
0.006 and 0.015, respectively) and 50 µM (p = 0.019, 0.004 and 0.002,
respectively) resveratrol-treated normal chondrocyte cultures. In
OA chondrocytes, expression of COL10 and RUNX2 was significantly
greater in 25 µM (p = 0.004 and 0.024) and 50 µM (p = 0.004 and
0.019) cultures at 72 hours on 3D cultures.ConclusionsAt concentrations of 25 µM and/or 50 µM, resveratrol treatment
significantly upregulates SIRT1 gene expression in normal and osteoarthritic
chondrocytes. Resveratrol induces chondrocytes into a hypertrophic
state through upregulation of COL1, COL10, and RUNX2.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:51–9.