Effects of resveratrol treatment on bone and cartilage in obese diabetic mice

Background: Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin that has been shown to exhibit osteoprotective and chondroprotective properties. We examine the effects of resveratrol treatment on bone and cartilage tissue of obese, diabetic ob/ob mice. Methods: Eight-week-old ob/ob and lean control mice were given trans-resveratrol at an oral dose of 25 mg/kg for 3 weeks. Histomorphometric and cross-sectional-geometric variables were analyzed. Results: Ob/ob mice in our study exhibit significantly reduced femoral length, resistance to loading, and tibial growth plate total area and calcified area than lean controls (P < 0.05). Resveratrol treatment significantly increased cortical area in both ob/ob and control mice, but did not improve cross-sectional indicators of resistance to bending. Resveratrol treatment also reduced tibial length and calcified growth plate cartilage area in comparison to untreated mice ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Resveratrol treatment of ob/ob mice had mixed effects on bone histomorphometry at the femoral midshaft. Treatment increased cortical area but decreased bone length.