HEALING INSIDE AND OUT.

This month we will look at some research on resveratrol and healing.

Wound healing--from India comes research on rats where after administering resveratrol in low doses to half of the rats all had an abdominal incision which was made and then closed.  Each incision was approximately 1-1/2 inches in length.  The rats were then sacrificed at either 7 or 14 days and the wounds were examined both for tensile strength and healing protein in the incisions.  There was less inflammation and more healing tissue including an increase in blood supply to the rats who had been on resveratrol.  The wounds were actually stronger as well.  There was a significant improvement in healing in the resveratrol group. PMID 23242670

Colon surgery healing--a group in Turkey published a study on cutting across a segment of colon in rats.  Half of the rats were pretreated with resveratrol and the other half were not.  This was a low dose of resveratrol and after 7 days the rats were sacrificed and the healing segment of colon was examined in both groups.  Like the paper which is reviewed above.  There was more rapid healing with almost no leak between sutures in the resveratrol group and a dramatic increase in the amount of healing tissue.  The resveratrol group had improved healing and increased mechanical stability.  PMID 20605167

Skin healing--research from Finland was looking at skin injuries and the improved healing seen in the presence of resveratrol.  This time the resveratrol was applied topically on the skin directly after damaging the skin.  The healing was dramatically improved when resveratrol was applied to the skin when compared to similar injuries left to heal on their own.  Mice were used in this study and the resveratrol group came out ahead in every single different test done  after the injury and the direct application of resveratrol.  PMID 12374620

This would make me want to take resveratrol before any kind of surgery, or after an injury.  It would also make me want to keep resveratrol available for the grandchildren and their inevitable scrapes and cuts.

Dr. Bob

PROBIOTICS, DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS

VERY INTERESTING...

Probiotics--a study from China is looking at the bacteria in the gut of mice.   Half of them were receiving  resveratrol and the other half a placebo.  In the group being fed reveratrol there was a decrease in the enterococcus bacteria which is associated with disease and an increase in the healthy bacteria lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.   This is the first report I have seen on the effect of resveratrol on the intestinal bacteria.  This is one more benefit that is available from a regular use of resveratrol.  PMID 24722352

Diabetic foot ulcers--a human study was done on diabetics and the healing of foot ulcers.  Half of the patient's received placebo and half of them received resveratrol  50 mg twice a day.  This would be the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of the Vivix daily.  The resveratrol  group had faster healing and healthier tissue after 60 days on this program.   Other studies have shown a better control of blood sugar on diabetics will also take resveratrol.  Again, an added benefit from supplementation.  PMID 24701359

DR. BOB

STROKE & SKIN PROTECTION, BLADDER CANCER

MARCH REVIEW…GREAT STUDIES

Stroke protection--a rat study was done where 2 arteries to the brain of each rat were tied off simulating a stroke and beginning one hour after that blockage of blood flow half of the rats were given Resveratrol for 7 days.  Behavioral testing was then done on days 30 and 45 after tying off the arteries.  At the end of thestudy, the rats were sacrificed and the brains examined.  There was less loss of brain tissue in the Resveratrol  group.  they also performed much more effectively during the memory function testing.  There was a definite neuro protective effect in the rat's on Resveratrol.  PMID 24620966

Skin protection--half of a group of guinea pigs was given as Resveratrol and the other half a placebo.  They were all exposed to ultraviolet B light and the changes in pigmentation were then studied in both groups.  The Resveratrol modified melanin synthesis and acted as depigmentation agent.  This has promise in dealing with ultraviolet  induced skin disorders such as hyperpigmentation and skin photo aging.  PMID 24596619

Bladder cancer--bladder cancer has been as high as a 50% recurrence rate following treatment of the initial cancer.  A variety of treatments to lower the risk of recurrence have been studied including chemotherapy agents placed into the bladder and dietary supplements to include antioxidant vitamins.  In this study a group of my case was divided in half.  Half received short term mesenteric hole placed directly into the bladder daily and all the mice were then exposed to chemical which causes formation of bladder cancer.  The liver is very full treated mice had a much lower rate of cancer onset in those which did develop cancer had tumors which were more slowly and were smaller.  PMID  24587049

DR. BOB

BONE HEALING, CARDIO PROTECTION, ANTIDEPRESSANT

More great research being done...

Bone healing--From Paulista University in Sao Paolo, Brazil comes a study on the healing of bone in a rat on resveratrol.  2 different studies were done on the rats at the same time.  A cut was made through bone in the skull,  and screws were placed into a leg bone.  30 days later the rats were sacrificed and bony healing was examined.  The rats on resveratrol had more rapid and more advanced healing in the skull incision.  The metal screw placed into the leg bone had more complete healing and a stronger formation of bone around the metal implant when compared to the healing in the rats that were not on resveratrol supplementation.  Resveratrol is a safe and readily available supplement and definitely worth consuming by someone anticipating any kind of orthopedic procedure including joint replacement.  It would also be a good supplement for anyone at risk of falling with the possibility of a fracture.  PMID 24530035

Cardio protection--from Tunisia comes a study on the protective effect of resveratrol on heart muscle after loss of blood flow.  Half of a group of rats was given resveratrol and the other half was not.  Each of the rats then had a clamp placed on one of the arteries to the heart muscle simulating a heart attack.  After a fixed period of time the clamp was removed.  This would simulate an angioplasty or a bypass returning blood supply to that portion of the heart.  All the rats were later sacrificed and examined.  Before their death there was improved muscle function of the heart in the rats on resveratrol.  Upon autopsy, the rats on resveratrol had less muscle damage and overall had healthier heart tissue.  This is most likely because of its antioxidant properties and should be seriously considered by cardiac patient's.  Again, this is a supplement that  is safe and available.  PMI D24523766

Antidepressant--a study was published from Pennsylvania State University on the anti- depressive effects of resveratrol.  This was a study done on rats subjected to depression inducing circumstances.  Brain changes were measured in all of the rats.  Half of them were started on resveratrol and all of the wraps were re- subjected to the depression inducing stimuli.  Resveratrol exerted an antidepressant-like effect similar to desipramine.  This is  a prescription antidepressant drugs similar to imipramine (Tofranil) or amitriptyline (Elavil).  This is a benefit which I have not previously reported on.  PMI D 24523766 

There are so many wonderful reasons to take resveratrol (Vivix) on a regular basis!  

Until next time…Dr. Bob Biggers 

PROSTATE CANCER

Welcome back to Dr. Bob's Blog 2014

Prostate Cancer—With the aging population, Prostate cancer will become a growing problem and raises an awareness of the need for chemoprevention.  Two prescription medications lower the risk of the development of prostate cancer.  Natural products are also being tested as a potentially lower priced alternative.  Several have been tested including resveratrol, which have been shown to decrease the progression of high risk patients to the development of full blown prostate cancer.  The results are promising enough that there is new research going on now.  PMID 21629831

Prostate Cancer—There is a strain of rats which get prostate cancer when exposed to a chemical called SV40T.  A group of these rats were given SV40T, half of which were given resveratrol and the other half not.  These are rats who did not already have prostate cancer but put at risk for getting it.   Those taking resveratrol had a lowered rate of prostate cancer showing that it can be prevented in a high risk situation.  People at high risk, such as men with a rising PSA, or high risk pre-cancerous changes on biopsy,  or family history of prostate cancer could benefit now from resveratrol which is safe and available without waiting for definitive proof.   PMID18439064

Until Next Time…Dr. Bob