Effect of resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic compound, on platelet activation induced by endotoxin or thrombin

Resveratrol (3, 4', 5-trihydroxystilbene), a natural polyphenol, is found in some plants that are used in human nutrition. Grapes are a major source for resveratrol, and a significant amount can also be found in red wine. Several experimental studies have demonstrated biological properties of resveratrol, especially its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-platelet and antitumor effects. In the present study, we investigated the first step of platelet activation-platelet adhesion stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Proteus mirabilis (weak stimulator) and thrombin (strong activator) in the presence of resveratrol. Our studies show that endotoxin (0.3 mug/10(8) platelets), like thrombin (0.2 U/10(8) platelets), induced the adhesion of platelets (expressed as absorbance of cell attached proteins) to collagen and fibrinogen. Preincubation of washed platelets with resveratrol at physiological plasma concentrations (25-100 mug/ml, 30 min, 37 degreesC) had an inhibitory effect on adhesion of platelets to collagen after activation by LPS alone or LPS with thrombin. The strongest effect on this process was caused by resveratrol at the concentration of 100 mug/ml. Pretreatment of platelets with resveratrol (25-100 mug/ml, 30 min, 37 degreesC) had also inhibitory effects on adhesion of platelets to fibrinogen after stimulation of these cells by LPS alone or by LPS with thrombin at the same concentration. In conclusion, we suggest that resveratrol present in human diet may be an important compound responsible for the reduction of platelet adhesion and changed reactivity of blood platelets in inflammatory process. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.