Resveratrol prevents the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm through attenuation of inflammation, oxidative stress, and neovascularization

Objective: We sought to examine the effect of resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, on the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Methods: AAA was induced in mice by periaortic application of CaCl ₂. NaCl (0.9%)-applied mice were used as a sham group. Mice were treated with intraperitoneal injection of PBS (Sham/CON, AAA/CON, n=30 for each) or resveratrol (100mg/kg/day) (AAA/RSVT, n=30). Six weeks after the operation, aortic tissue was excised for further examinations. Results: Aortic diameter was enlarged in AAA/CON compared with Sham/CON. Resveratrol treatment reduced the aneurysm size and inflammatory cell infiltration in the aortic wall compared with AAA/CON. Elastica Van Gieson staining showed destruction of the wavy morphology of the elastic lamellae in AAA/CON, while it was preserved in AAA/RSVT. The increased mRNA expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, CD68, vascular endothelial growth factor-A, p47, glutathione peroxidase (GPX)1 and GPX3 were attenuated by resveratrol treatment (all p<0.05). Administration of resveratrol decreased protein expression of phospho-p65 in AAA. The increased 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-positive cell count and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-positive cell count in AAA were also reduced by resveratrol treatment. Zymographic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and MMP-2 was lower in AAA/RSVT compared with AAA/CON (both p<0.05). Compared with AAA/CON, Mac-2 ⁺ macrophages and CD31 ⁺ vessels in the aortic wall were decreased in AAA/RSVT (both p<0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with resveratrol in mice prevented the development of CaCl ₂-induced AAA, in association with reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, neoangiogenesis, and extracellular matrix disruption. These findings suggest therapeutic potential of resveratrol for AAA.