Resveratrol, SIRT1, oxidative stress, and brain aging

Abstract

[eng] Population aging has becoming one of the major medical and socioeconomic challenges of modern societies. Therefore the research of causes and therapies to mitigate the negative effects of aging is becoming a priority purpose in research. It has been pointed out as principal cause of aging the oxidative stress and ultimately inflammation, especially in the brain. Accordingly the consumption or administration of antioxidant and antiinflammatory molecules, such as polyphenols, present in diet, can be a beneficial strategy for preventing “normal” brain aging and several brain age-related diseases. Among polyphenols, resveratrol is one of the most studied, being attributed antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties, epigenetic modulation ability, and proneurogenic effect, among others. Most of these effects are produced through modulation of the antiaging protein SIRT1. Furthermore, therapeutic potential and well tolerance in clinical trials have been demonstrated. In this context the present chapter explains the knowledge acquired so far about the positive effects in aging of resveratrol, emphasizing the molecular mechanisms involved.