Effect of resveratrol on expression of genes involved thermogenesis in mice and humans

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on FNDC5 and thermogenesis markers expression in the adipose tissue of mice and humans. Thirty-two male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 8) and fed with: Standard Diet; Standard Diet + Resveratrol (400 mg/kg); High-fat Diet; High-fat Diet + Resveratrol for eight weeks. Twenty male and female volunteers, aged 30-55 years, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² were divided into two groups and treated for four weeks with 500 mg trans-resveratrol or placebo, adipose tissue biopsies were taken. Analysis of body weight, food intake, glycemic and lipid profiles, mRNA expression from tissues and primary culture of adipocytes were performed. The main results show that resveratrol improves the glycaemic and lipid profiles along with an increase in the levels of UCP1, PRDM16, PGC1α, and SIRT1. The increase in FNDC5 expression was observed in the mouse and human subcutaneous adipose tissue. The SIRT1 antagonist in adipocyte primary culture resulted in decreased FNDC5 expression. Our data suggest that improved metabolism produced by oral administration of resveratrol is, at least in part, associated with increased thermogenesis followed by high expression of UCP1, PRDM16, PGC1α and that increased FNDC5 expression in the subcutaneous adipose tissue from mice and human might be modulated by SIRT1.