Estudios científicos
Fighting cancer with red wine? Molecular mechanisms of resveratrol
Abstract:
Resveratrol, a red wine constituent, has been known for its cardioprotective effects. Recent data give ample evidence that resveratrol can act as a chemopreventive agent as well. Tumor initation, promotion, and progression are affected by resveratrol via multiple pathways, which are discussed in this review. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory effects by counteracting NF-kappa B and AP-1 transcription and can prevent bioactivation of procarcinogens by interacting with drug metabolizing enzymes. Furthermore, resveratrol exerts antioxidant activities, hence contributing to the prevention of tumor initiation. Growing or metastasizing carcinomas are inhibited by resveratrol through prevention of angiogenesis by inhibiting VEGF and matrix metalloproteases. Induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, important mechanisms for cancer therapy, are stimulated by resveratrol through different mechanisms, e.g., activation of p53 and modulation of cell cycle proteins. Although there has been remarkable evidence for resveratrol as a potent chemopreventive agent in vitro, it seems that the low bioavailability of resveratrol in humans could interfere with a successful in vivo treatment. Nevertheless, resveratrol offers two major advantages over conventional chemotherapy. The cytotoxic effects of resveratrol on healthy cells can be neglected, and, as several pathways leading to chemotherapeutic effects are activated by resveratrol, chemoresistance-inducing mutations in cancer cells can be overcome.
Comentarios divulgativos:
El resveratrol es un constituyente del vino tinto que tras diversos estudios se ha encontrado que tiene efectos cardioprotectivos. Los recientes datos muestran que el resveratrol puede actuar como un agente chemopreventivo. La iniciación de un tumor, promoción y progresión son afectadas por el resveratrol. Este tiene efectos antinflamatorios además de propiedades antioxidantes que contribuyen a la prevención de la iniciación de un tumor mediante diferentes vías que es lo que se analiza en esta revisión.
Aunque existe una evidencia de que el resveratrol es un potente agente chemopreventivo in vitro, la baja viabilidad del resveratrol en humanos puede ser un problema a la hora de considerarlo como tratamiento en vivo.
