Resveratrol inhibits 11β-HSD1 activity

Research has shown that 11β-HSD1 activity in adipocytes significantly contributes to the development of obesity; therefore, inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in adipose tissue is one of the keys to the prevention of and therapy for obesity.

Some natural compounds and their derivatives have potential 11β-HSD1 inhibition properties. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol and a stilbene-type phytoalexin produced by plants in response to environmental stress. Similar to most polyphenols, resveratrol has antioxidant activity. It is commonly found in fresh grape skins, red wine (pinot noir), boiled peanuts, and blueberries. As an ingredient of red wine, resveratrol explains the epidemiological phenomenon called the ‘French paradox’, in which red wine consumption is associated with a low incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Accumulating evidence suggests that resveratrol has the potential to prevent obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and a variety of human diseases. However, the impact of resveratrol on 11β-HSD1 in adipose tissue has not been demonstrated. Therefore, in this study, Tagawa et al. investigated the effect of resveratrol on the activities of 11β-HSD1, 11β-HSD2, and H6PD using rat adipose and liver tissues and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Their study shows that resveratrol selectively inhibited 11β-HSD1 activity in rat adipose tissues, liver, and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study demonstrated an alternative antiobesity effect of resveratrol, preventing intracellular glucocorticoid reamplification by 11β-HSD1 in a non-transcriptional pathway.

Read the full article at Tagawa et al (2013) Journal of Endocrinology 218; 311-320; DOI: 10.1530/JOE-13-0066.