Effects of Resveratrol on Adiposity

Abstract

Resveratrol, which has beneficial biological effects on health, is one of the most commonly researched food components in recent years. Resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic compound containing two aromatic rings linked via a methylene bridge. Resveratrol activates sirtuin 1 and it is claimed to be protective against some types of cancer, ischemia, infections, and cardiovascular disease, to inhibit platelet aggregationand to have vasodilator, antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, and antiviral properties. In addition, resveratrol might be involved in metabolic pathways such as adipogenesis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis. It plays a role in lipid metabolism in the liver, skeletal muscles, and especially in the adipose tissue. In this review article, it is aimed to discuss the effect of resveratrol on the prevention or treatment of obesity, one of the most important public health problems.