I limiti del resveratrolo: per una sicura azione antiossidante è necessaria la co-presenza ddei polifenoli del vino rosso

TThere is evidence that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may reduce the risk of age-associated diseases. It has been suggested that benefits associated with fruit and red wine consumption could be due to the antioxidant pool of diet microcomponents. In this study, the antioxidant activities of trans-resveratrol (a well known phytoalexin) and red wine polyphenols (RWP) were investigated in UVB-radiated isolated rat liver cells. RWP protected liver cells from photolipoperoxidation at any dosage, and the effect increased with dosage. Resveratrol by itself had pro-oxidant or antioxidant effects depending on the lower or higher dosage. Combinations of the two compounds inhibited synergistically the oxidative injury of membrane lipids, and resveratrol exhibited anti-oxidant activity both at the higher and lower dosage. The conclusion is that the administration of resveratrol is always safe and beneficial only when the drug is given together with RWP.