Resveratrol in Metabolic Syndrome: Effect on Platelet Hyper-reactivity and HDL Lipid Peroxidation

Study Summary

Metabolic syndrome is a group of risk factors that increase a patient's likelihood for heart attack, stroke and diabetes. Our research is aimed at understanding whether a drug, resveratrol, commonly found in grapes and red wine, would have any benefit in reducing risk factors in patients that have metabolic syndrome. Despite the use of aspirin and cholesterol reducing medications, patients with metabolic syndrome still often have sticky platelets and dysfunctional lipid profile. This is likely due to inflammation and high oxidative state. In animal studies, this drug has reduced platelet stickiness and reduced oxidative stress. However, the effects of this drug have not been researched in patients with metabolic syndrome. We are interested in studying whether the benefits of resveratrol described in animal models can be translated to patients with metabolic syndrome who display high markers of oxidative stress. We plan to give a short intervention of drug to patients and then determine if the drug successfully: 1. Decreases the stickiness of platelets. This is important because sticky platelets are more likely to form clot and contribute to plaque formation. 2. Reduce the circulating dysfunctional HDL. HDL and its protein and lipid constituents help to inhibit oxidation, inflammation, activation of the blood vessel wall, coagulation, and platelet aggregation. Dysfunctional HDL, as occurs in metabolic syndrome patients, cannot properly protect against atherosclerosis.

Primary Outcome

Measure platelet-monocyte aggregates by flow cytometry

Interventions

• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT Placebo
• DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT Resveratrol