Role of resveratrol in protecting vasodilatation function in septic shock rats and its mechanism

Vascular dysfunction is a major cause of sepsis-induced multiple-organ dysfunction. Resveratrol is a polyphenol compound with extensive pharmacological effects including anti-inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine the role and mechanism of resveratrol in protecting vascular function following sepsis.

The cecal ligation and puncture method was used to establish a septic shock rat model. Resveratrol (5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg) was administered intravenously immediately and at 12 hours after cecal ligation and puncture, respectively. The effects of resveratrol on vasodilatation function, blood flow velocity, hemodynamics, and vital organ function and its relationship to Rac-1 and HIF-1α were observed.

Vascular relaxation reactivity and blood flow velocity were significantly decreased after septic shock, both were significantly improved by resveratrol 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, and the effect of 10 mg/kg was greater. The relaxation reactivity of the superior mesenteric artery to acetylcholine (Ach) was increased by 43.2%. The blood flow velocity of mesenteric arterioles and venules was increased by 47.1% and 51%, respectively, after resveratrol (10 mg/kg) administration compared with the septic shock group. The hemodynamics and both liver and kidney blood flow were significantly decreased after septic shock, which were significantly improved them by resveratrol, which enhanced the vascular relaxation reactivity in septic shock rats. The 72-hour survival rate of septic shock rats in the resveratrol group (62.5%) was significantly higher than that in the septic shock group (6.3%). Resveratrol significantly upregulated the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and downregulated the expression of inducible NOS, Rac-1, and HIF-1α. Inhibitors of Rac-1 and HIF-1α significantly improved the expression of eNOS, and inhibition of eNOS (L-NAME, 5 mg/kg) antagonized the resveratrol-induced improvement in vascular relaxation reactivity and survival.

Resveratrol was beneficial for vasodilatation function in rats with septic shock, which is the major contribution to resveratrol improving hemodynamics and organ perfusion. The mechanism involved resveratrol upregulating the expression of eNOS by inhibiting Rac-1 and HIF-1α.