Resveratrol Shown To Kill Cancer Cells
Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center has shown that resveratrol can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by crippling their mitochondria.
Resveratrol in an antioxidant that belongs to a class of polyphenolic compounds called stilbenes. Certain types of plants produce stilbenes in response to stress, injury, fungal infection, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Scientists first became interested in the health benefits of resveratrol in 1992 when it was discovered to be in red wine.
To perform this study, the researchers separated the cancer cells into two groups: cells treated with or without resveratrol in combination with ionizing radiation. They evaluated the mitochondria function of the cells treated with resveratrol and measured apoptosis, the level of reactive oxygen species in the cells, and how cell membranes responded to the antioxidant.
Lead author Paul Okunieff, M.D. , says that “resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive.”
There is some concern that antioxidants may protect tumors; however, this study has shown that this is most likely not the case with resveratrol, which injures the powerhouse (i.e. the mitochondria) of the harmful cells and protects normal tissue from the damaging effects of radiation.
The mitochondria contains its own DNA and has the ability to continuously supply the cell with energy for functioning properly. By stopping the energy flow, the cancer would theoretically be stopped.
The study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were pre-treated with resveratrol and then irradiated, the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, which is an important goal of cancer therapy.
I have posted before about the positive effects of resveratrol; however, this study provides more solid evidence about its positive effects.
Reference: University of Rochester
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I’m wondering if red wine with my steak would be a beneficial combination.
red wine beverage helps cope with aging