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insulin resistance is often characterized as the most
critical factor contributing to the development of type
2 diabetes, the findings "provide a potential new
therapeutic approach for preventing or treating"
both conditions, the researchers said.
The research group also confirmed that increased levels
of an enzyme called SIRT1, which earlier studies had
linked to longevity, DNA repair, and insulin secretion,
improve insulin sensitivity in mice. Resveratrol is
known to activate the SIRT1 enzyme.
The results suggest that "red wine might have
some benefits for insulin sensitivity, but it needs
to be confirmed by further investigation," said
Qiwei Zhai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Given
the potential complications of drinking alcohol, "an
even better option may be to find other natural foods
enriched with resveratrol or foods supplemented with
resveratrol," he added, noting that the chemical
is also an active ingredient in other plants, including
one called Polygonum cuspidatum used in traditional
Chinese and Japanese medicine.
Earlier studies had reported a connection between SIRT1
and the processes of glucose metabolism and insulin
secretion. However, whether SIRT1 was directly involved
in insulin sensitivity remained largely unknown, the
researchers said.
The findings suggest that those who drink red wine
for the health-promoting benefits of resveratrol might
"think about drinking less," Zhai said. Previously,
he noted, the effects of resveratrol seen in mice had
implied that humans might need to drink about 120 liters
of red wine each day to get enough resveratrol to enjoy
the same benefit. "According to our findings, people
might need to drink about three liters of red wine each
day to get sufficient resveratrol--about 15 mg--for
its biological effects."
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