Resveratrol and piceid metabolites and their fat-reduction effects in zebrafish larvae

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in many plants, has been reported to have antiobesogenic effects in several animal and in vitro models. Zebrafish present several technical advantages that place them at an interesting, halfway point between in vitro and rodent models. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the metabolization of resveratrol and its glucoside (piceid) in zebrafish and their ability to induce the consumption of fat reserve in zebrafish larvae. Resveratrol and piceid were both able to reduce yolk sac fat content depending on the dose tested. Furthermore, resveratrol showed a potent and rapid action, whereas piceid needed more time and higher doses to be as effective as resveratrol. In accordance with other animal models and humans, the principal metabolites found in zebrafish larvae were monoglucoronide and monosulfate forms of resveratrol. In conclusion, zebrafish are a potentially excellent animal model for polyphenol research as they present several advantageous characteristics for efficacy screening and metabolomic studies before rodents.