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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
Robot-Assisted Kidney Transplantation
Published on: July 19, 2021
Resveratrol exerts dose-dependent anti-fibrotic or pro-fibrotic effects in kidneys: A potential risk to individuals
Shuyun Liu1, Meng Zhao1, Yijie Zhou1
1Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Background:
Renal fibrosis is the pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD) which leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal failure. Resveratrol [3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene (RSV)] has shown benefits for metabolic diseases and anti-cancer therapy, but its potential risk on renal health has not been fully evaluated.
Purpose:
To investigate the global effects of RSV on renal fibrosis in human tubular epithelial cell (TEC) line HK-2, and in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).
Methods:
A TGF-β-induced in vitro model of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in TEC was established. The effects of RSV on cell viability, pro-fibrotic factors, oxidative stress, mitochondria function, and underlying pathway proteins were analyzed. In vivo, the effects of RSV on renal function and fibrosis were assayed in UUO mice.
Results:
Our results showed that low concentrations of RSV (5-20 μM) decreased TGF-β-induced EMT via Sirt1-dependent deacetylation of Smad3/Smad4 mechanism. By contrast, long-term (72 h) exposure to high concentrations of RSV (≥ 40 μM) promoted EMT in HK-2 cells via mitochondrial oxidative stress and ROCK1-mediated disordered cytoskeleton remodeling. In vivo, low-dose treatment of RSV (≤ 25 mg/kg) partly improved renal function, whereas high-dose treatment of RSV (≥ 50 mg/kg) lost its anti-fibrotic role and even aggravated renal fibrosis. However, mice with UUO were more susceptible to high RSV-induced renal injury than normal mice.
Conclusion:
Dependent on dose, RSV activated either anti-fibrotic or pro-fibrotic effects in kidneys. The risk of RSV consumption in individuals with impaired kidney function should be carefully considered.
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