Resveratrol as anti-aging therapy for age-related bone loss

Previous studies have indicated that resveratrol, a natural phytoestrogen, can act as an anti-aging therapy to resist age-related changes of several body tissues. However, the anti-aging effects of resveratrol on bone have been poorly investigated in this natural aging population. Accordingly, this study was design to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on bone mass and biomechanical properties in old rat femora.

Twenty 22-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into two randomly assigned groups (n=10). The first group was treated for 10 weeks with resveratrol (10 mg/kg per day) and the second group was left untreated (control). Rat femora were collected. Bone mass and bone microestructure were investigated by microcomputed tomography and histomorphometry. Biomechanical properties were determined by a three-point bending test. Plasma levels of CTX (carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) and osteocalcin were also determined. Statistical analyses were performed by a Student two-tailed unpaired t-test. In all experiments, a value of p<0.05 was considered significant.

Microcomputed tomography analyses demonstrated that resveratrol-treated rats had significant higher bone volume, bone trabecular number, and cortical thickness and lower spacing between trabeculae in comparison to the control group. Histomorphometric analyses confirmed the increase of bone volume in resveratrol-treated rats compared to controls. Resveratrol-treated rats had significant higher bone flexural modulus, stiffness, and ultimate load compared to control group. Treatment was not associated with changes in plasma CTX or osteocalcin.

These findings demonstrate that resveratrol increases bone microstructure and bone mechanical properties in old male rats, suggesting that resveratrol might be used as anti-aging therapy to resist age-induced bone loss.