The effect of resveratrol on muscle and fat metabolic health in COPD

Background: Patients with COPD are often characterized by disturbed metabolic health, which is often reflected in altered body composition. Studies in healthy subjects suggest that resveratrol improves metabolic health by enhancing muscle mitochondrial function and adipose tissue morphology. Objective: To investigate the effect of four weeks resveratrol supplementation on muscle mitochondrial function, adipose tissue inflammatory and metabolic gene expression, systemic inflammation and body composition in patients with COPD. Methods: In a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study, 21 COPD patients received resveratrol (150 mg/day) or placebo for four weeks. Before and after intervention, blood samples, quadriceps muscle and subcutaneous abdominal fat biopsies were obtained. Body composition was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Muscle mitochondrial biogenesis regulators as well as mitochondrial respiration, Oxphos complexes, oxidative enzyme activities and kynurenine aminotransferases were not improved by resveratrol. Plasma high-sensitive C-reactive protein and kynurenine as well as adipose tissue inflammatory markers were unaffected by resveratrol, while adipose tissue markers of glycolysis and lipolysis were significantly increased compared to placebo supplementation. Body weight decreased after resveratrol supplementation (resveratrol -0.95±1.01 kg vs placebo -0.16±0.66 kg, p=0.049) due to a reduction in lean mass (resveratrol -1.79±1.67 kg vs 0.37±0.86 kg, p=0.026). Conclusion: We do not confirm previously reported positive effects of resveratrol on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in patients with COPD, but show an unexpected decline in lean mass.