Resveratrol prevents global cerebral ischemia-induced decrease in lipid content.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether resveratrol (RSV) modulates membrane lipid composition, as well as on ganglioside profile in ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Global cerebral ischemia was induced by four-vessel occlusion for 10 minutes. RSV (30 mg/kg) or vehicle was intraperitoneally administered to rats 7 days prior to ischemia. Brain structures were homogenized with chloroform/methanol for ganglioside, phospholipids, and cholesterol levels.

RESULTS

RSV significantly prevented the reduction in the total content of gangliosides, phospholipids, and cholesterol in hippocampi and cerebral cortex induced by global cerebral ischemia. Although ischemia/reperfusion decreased ganglioside content, the ganglioside profiles were apparently not modified.

CONCLUSIONS

Our experiments suggest that lipid metabolism is important for development of ischemic damage and indicate that RSV treatment 7 days prior to ischemia may prevent membrane lipid loss.