Scientists proposed a new explanation of the mechanism of action of red wine
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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American scientists have proposed a new explanation for the mechanism of action of resveratrol, a natural compound contained, for example, in red wine, which can presumably increase life expectancy.
Resveratrol has become widely known after it has been experimentally shown that his constant intake prolongs the life of a number of organisms. In other experiments, mice receiving this substance could constantly consume high-calorie food without gaining weight and developing diabetes.
A group of scientists who studied resveratrol concluded that it operates (at least in part) by activating the SIRT1 enzyme from the sirtuin family, which regulate many of the key functions of the body, including those responsible for biological aging. Because of this, the company founded by scientists to study resveratrol was called Sirtris. In 2008, the British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline bought this firm for 720 million dollars. Nevertheless, the direct activating action of resveratrol on sirtuin could not be demonstrated.
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health of the United States (NIH) have focused on another enzyme, activated by the use of resveratrol. This enzyme - adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK, AMPK) - plays an important role in the energy supply of the cell. It turned out that his test compound activates indirectly.
Further study of the problem showed that resveratrol does not act in the absence of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a universal molecule that mediates receptor and many other intracellular interactions, including those associated with energy exchange.
It turned out that resveratrol directly blocks a family of phosphodiesterase enzymes (PDE) that cleave cAMP (by the way, blockers of certain types of PDE are such drugs as caffeine, sildenafil and many others). Thus, the use of resveratrol increases the level of cAMP in cells, which generally leads to stimulation of energy exchange in the body and the "burning" of fat and carbohydrate stores.
The research team led by Jay Chung confirmed these findings, partially reproducing the effects of resveratrol by the appointment of other PDE blockers. Sirtris executive director George Vlasuk said that for several reasons he doubts the results obtained by Chang and will not try to reproduce them.
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