Red Wine

Resveratrol shows promise as diabetes treatment

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

Scientists have unveiled yet another study on the potential of resveratrol. The chemical, which is found in red wine as well as a variety of plants, has been linked with improved sensitivity to insulin in mouse models, adding another possible therapeutic effect for an ingredient already associated with longevity and DNA repair. Resveratrol activates the SIRT1 enzyme, and researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences say that could make it a candidate for treating diabetes. Researchers report that SIRT1 levels are reduced in insulin-resistant cells and tissues and that treatments that block the enzyme's function lead to insulin resistance. Furthermore, increased SIRT1 activity improved insulin sensitivity. Similarly, resveratrol--at a dose of just 2.5 mg/kg/day--enhanced insulin sensitivity in cells. That low dose of resveratrol also reduced insulin resistance in animals fed a high-fat diet, the researchers showed.

"We found SIRT1 improves insulin sensitivity, especially under insulin-resistant conditions," said Chinese scientist Qiwei Zhai. "Furthermore, we found that resveratrol, at a very low dose compared with many previous studies, improves insulin sensitivity via SIRT1."

- see the release on the new resveratrol research

ALSO: OK, says a feature in the Los Angeles Times, resveratrol has been garnering headlines as a wonder tonic. But keep in mind that for now, at least, what we know about the chemical may only be relevant to mice. Report

Resveratrol increases endurance in animal study

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

First resveratrol proved effective in combating obesity and spurred longevity in mice (photo). Now a new study demonstrates that resveratrol can double the endurance of mice as well, complete with the reduced heart rate enjoyed by athletes. New research comes from the French Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology. "Resveratrol makes you look like a trained athlete without the training," one of the researchers told The New York Times. And they believe resveratrol can have the same effect on people. The treated mice demonstrated a significant increase in mitochondria in muscle cells, which generates energy.

- read the article in The New York Times on resveratrol

Related Article:
The benefits of red wine. Editorial
Ingredient in wine may boost longevity, health. Report

Ingredient in wine may boost longevity, health

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Spurred by research into the tonic effects of calorie restriction, a variety of research groups and biotech companies have been exploring how an ingredient in red wine--resveratrol--can bolster health and increase longevity. Some of their work suggests that resveratrol can be used to counter the ailments associated with age and abundance, such as diabetes. In one new animal study, resveratrol was found to counter the high levels of glucose and insulin associated with a high-fat diet (photo). And the biotech Sirtris is testing a "resveratrol-based" drug against diabetes. Other drug developers, such as Elixir Pharmaceuticals, are also testing new therapies to counter the effects of aging. The research into resveratrol isn't without controversy, though. Some of these new therapies include concentrations of the ingredient that equal hundreds of glasses of wine. And there's skepticism that small doses in supplements can provide the same kind of tonic as the calorie reduction method.

- here's the article from The Wall Street Journal
- and here's the article from The New York Times

Related Articles:
Biotechs pursue anti-aging treatments. Report
Sirtris pockets $37M in venture funds. Report

Editor's Corner

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 19:01:38 -0500

The benefits of red wine

It's always interesting to see which new research piece will break out into top-of-the-fold headlines in the major newspapers. This week's big story is about resveratrol, an ingredient found in grape skins (and red wine) which researchers found could offset the effects of a high-fat diet. It won't make you skinny, mind you, but in mice models it moderated levels of insulin and glucose--key indicators for diabetes. The problem with resveratrol is that the concentrations needed for a therapeutic effect are far beyond what we'll get from a small glass of pinot, which is still about as far as most doctors will go in recommending a drink to a patient. But it does underscore continuing research that attributes a therapeutic benefit to moderate amounts of red wine. Eventually, scientists will put it in a pill. For now, though, let's toast the latest data with a (small) glass of cabernet.- John