Resveratrol Supplementation Reduces Aortic Atherosclerosis and Calcification and Attenuates Loss of Aerobic Capacity in a Mouse Model of Uremia

The polyphenolic compound resveratrol (RSV) has been studied for its protective effects on a variety of conditions, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), reduced exercise capacity, and bone disease. Individuals with chronic kidney disease suffer from a variety of these comorbid conditions, but the efficacy of RSV supplementation in this population is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of resveratrol feeding on factors related to CVD, aerobic capacity, and bone health in a mouse model of uremia. At 8 weeks of age, 28 female apolipoprotein E-/- mice underwent a two-step surgical procedure to induce uremia and were randomized to one of the two treatment groups for 16 weeks: 0.04% w/w resveratrol supplemented diet (group designated as RSV) (n=12) or control diet (group designated as CON) (n=16). Cardiovascular risk was determined by analysis of aortic atherosclerotic lesion area and aortic calcium, aerobic capacity was measured by maximal oxygen consumption/maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2)max) testing, and bone microarchitecture was assessed by microcomputed tomography. RSV animals had significantly fewer aortic atherosclerotic lesions at the site of the ascending aorta and lower aortic calcium at the branch of the coronary arteries compared with CON. Furthermore, there was a significant decline in VO(2)max from baseline to final testing in the CON group, but VO(2)max was preserved in the RSV group. Last, RSV had no significant effect on bone architecture. These data indicate that RSV supplementation improves vascular health and preserves aerobic capacity in a model of uremia, suggesting RSV supplementation could be examined as a therapeutic strategy for a critically ill population.