Resveratrol may have therapeutic value for fertility and pregnancy. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Resveratrol (trans-3,4N-trihydroxystilbene), a phytoalexin present in grapes and red wine is emerging as a natural compound with anticancer properties. However, the physiological and molecular effects of resveratrol in normal uterine cells are poorly understood. In the present study we evaluated the effects of resveratrol in normal uterine cells and the mechanisms involved in vivo. Healthy immature rats were treated s.c. with resveratrol (0, 0.5, 5, 50 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days, and were sacrificed on the 8th day. Uteri were collected, weighed and endometrium was recovered for total protein extraction followed by western blot analysis. Estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and beta (ESR2) affinity and activation by resveratrol were also determined by in vitro ER-binding assays. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to visualize the proliferation marker PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and immunofluorescence (IF) was done to study the localization of PTGS2. The results showed that resveratrol increased uterine wet weight and uterine body weight ratios significantly. This local cellular proliferation in terms of the thickening the columnar epithelial cells and an increase in the number of glands was accompanied by an increase of AKT phosphorylation and PTGS2 and XIAP protein expression. These results were further supported by IF and IHC analysis. Total AKT, ESR1 and ESR2 proteins expressions were not modulated by the treatment, however, resveratrol showed moderate estrogenicity for both ESR isoforms. Expression of progesterone receptor A (PGR) was induced in the presence of resveratrol. These data support the hypothesis that resveratrol can act in a pro-survival or anti-apototic way, through AKT, XIAP and PTGS2 regulation in the endometrium and could positively affect the outcome of pregnancy and favor fertility.