Response of blood platelets to resveratrol during a model of hyperhomocysteinemia

Resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxystilben), a phenolic antioxidant synthesized in grapes and other plants, and also present in wine, has been suggested to help prevent cardiovascular events. In this study the influence of resveratrol on platelet aggregation during a model of hyperhomocysteinemia was investigated. We induced hyperhomocysteinemia using a reduced form of Hcys (final dose, 0.1 mM) and the most reactive form of Hcys, its cyclic thioester, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL, 1 mu M). The aim of our study in vitro was also to investigate superoxide anion radical (O-2(-center dot)) generation after incubation of platelets with Hcys, HTL, and resveratrol. We have observed that HTL, like its precursor Hcys, stimulated the generation of O-2(-center dot) in platelets and caused an augmentation of platelet aggregation induced by the strong physiological agonist thrombin. Our results in vitro also demonstrated that resveratrol reduced the toxic action of Hcys and HTL on blood platelet aggregation and superoxide anion radical production in platelets, suggesting its potential protective effects on hemostasis are negatively influenced by homocysteine and its derivatives.