Resveratrol and Brain Mitochondria: a Review

Abstract

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene; CHO) is a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in grapes, berries, peanuts, and wines. Resveratrol has been viewed as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anticancer agent. Moreover, it has been reported that resveratrol modulates mitochondrial function, redox biology, and dynamics in both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Resveratrol also attenuates mitochondrial impairment induced by certain stressors. Resveratrol upregulates, for example, mitochondria-located antioxidant enzymes, decreasing the production of reactive species by these organelles. Resveratrol also triggers mitochondrial biogenesis, ameliorating the mitochondria-related bioenergetics status in mammalian cells. In the present work, we discuss about the effects of resveratrol on brain mitochondria. Brain cells (both neuronal and glial) are susceptible to mitochondrial dysfunction due to their high demand for adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Additionally, brain cells consume oxygen (O) at very high rates, leading to a proportionally high mitochondrial production of reactive species. Therefore, strategies focusing on the maintenance of mitochondrial function in these cell types are of pharmacological interest in the case of neurodegenerative diseases, which involve mitochondrial impairment and increased generation of reactive species, leading to neuroinflammation and cell death. The mechanism by which resveratrol protects mitochondrial function and dynamics is not completely understood, and further research would be necessary in order to investigate exactly how resveratrol affects mitochondria-related parameters. Furthermore, it is particularly important because resveratrol is able to induce cytotoxicity depending on its dosage.

Resveratrol Attenuates Nicotine-mediated Oxidative Injury by Inducing Manganese Superoxide Dismutase in Renal Proximal Tubule Cells

“…Thus, RES is a good candidate to prevent smoking-associated oxidative stress. Indeed, several studies have shown beneficial effects of RES on smoking in various organs (22)(23)(24), while the kidney is barely studied (10). Our study demonstrated that RES protected rat renal proximal tubule cells from NIC-mediated oxidative stress ( Figure 1B) by reducing ROS production ( Figure 1A).…”

“…Resveratrol (RES) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, found in high concentration in grapes and wine (21 production (22). Thus, RES is a good candidate to prevent smoking-associated oxidative stress.…”

Anemarrhenae asphodeloides rhizoma Extract Enriched in Mangiferin Protects PC12 Cells against a Neurotoxic Agent-3-Nitropropionic Acid

“…Among the feasible mechanisms we suspect prooxidant activity resulting from formation of free-radical intermediates (such as aromatic radical cations) and/or interactions with transition metal ions, such as copper. The increasing oxidative molecules not only damage cell components directly but also release a cascade of responses in such organelles as ER or mitochondria [12,32]. The latter mechanism has been postulated as a major cause of cytotoxic properties of higher doses of polyphenols, useful for anticancer activity [32] but potentially harmful when cells must be protected (in neurodegeneration) [33].…”

“…Neurotoxicity-related cell damage is often associated with oxidative stress caused by mitochondrial energy impairment, which in turn initiates a chain of pathophysiological processes leading to cell death. Brain cells are prone to oxidative damage because of a high rate of oxygen consumption [12]. Oxidative stress (OS) also plays an important role in the 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity.…”

Strategies for fighting mitochondrial diseases

“…Other compounds have been used to stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis in cell and animal models of mitochondrial disfunction, including resveratrol ([19,20]) and retinoic acid ([21]), again with controversial results.…”