538: Potential adverse effects of resveratrol: findings in human placental explants

Resveratrol, a supplement that allegedly mimics caloric restriction, has previously been shown to increase fatty acid (FA) uptake and oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle and liver of murine models. The effects of Resveratrol on human placental FA uptake and metabolism - critical for normal fetal development ? is unknown. We propose that Resveratrol will increase FA uptake and oxidation in human placental explants in vitro. Explants were isolated from term placental tissue of 24 women (pre-gravid BMI: 29.3 ± 10.2 kg/m2). The explants were incubated for 24h with 0-100 μM Resveratrol. Following treatment, the uptake of 14C-labeled FAs [palmitate (PA), oleate (OA), arachidonic acid (AA), and docosahexanoic acid (DHA)] were measured. Explants were incubated with 3H-palmitate. Fatty acid oxidation was represented by the production of H3O, while esterification was determined by the total 3H-lipid content. P value <0.05 vs vehicle control by t-test was statistically significant. Treatment with 100 μM Resveratrol decreased the uptake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, AA and DHA, compared to control (P<0.0001; N=18), but did not affect uptake of the saturated PA and monounsaturated OA (Figure 1). Fatty acid oxidation was decreased by both 50 and 100 μM Resveratrol (P <0.0012; N=6; Figure 2) while esterification was unchanged. Resveratrol was found to impair fatty acid uptake and oxidation in human placental explants. Inadequate placental delivery of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, AA and DHA, may potentially compromise fetal development. No current guidelines exist on Resveratrol supplementation in pregnancy. Despite the growing interest in Resveratrol’s metabolic effects, we caution its use during pregnancy as effects on fetal nutrient delivery and growth are still poorly understood, and further research is necessary. Funded by R00HD062841View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)