There has been a huge amount of buzz about Trans-resveratrol, the compound in red wine that is said to extend life by activating the sirt-1 gene. But one thing's for sure - we haven't figured out yet how to make it very bioavailable. Study results released today showed a very low plasma concentration of Trans-resveratrol after giving it to people (in doses of 25, 50, 100 or 150 milligrams six times a day) and then testing their blood (3.89, 7.39, 23.1 and 63.8 respectively). I know that some manufacturers are using bioperine, a chemical extracted from black pepper that aids absorption of certain nutrients, but how much this is helping is not very well known.
There are some people experimenting with transdermal versions and it seems that would be a much better route to take. Trans-Resveratrol is the right molecular weight and possesses enough lipophilicity (absorbable into fat) to make it through the cutaneous layer and into the bloodstream. I look forward to seeing how this turns out.
1: Mol Nutr Food Res. 2009 Feb 4. [Epub ahead of print]
Pharmacokinetic and safety profile of trans-resveratrol in a rising multiple-dose study in healthy volunteers.
Almeida L, Vaz-da-Silva M, Falcão A, Soares E, Costa R, Loureiro AI, Fernandes-Lopes C, Rocha JF, Nunes T, Wright L, Soares-da-Silva P.
Department of Research and Development, BIAL - Portela & Co SA, S Mamede do Coronado, Portugal. Fax: +351-22-9866192.
This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study to investigate the pharmacokinetics and safety of trans-resveratrol. In four groups of ten healthy adult subjects (five males and five females), two subjects were randomized to receive placebo and eight subjects to receive trans-resveratrol 25, 50, 100 or 150 mg, six times/day, for thirteen doses. Peak plasma concentrations of trans-resveratrol were reached at 0.8-1.5 h postdose. Following the 13th dose of trans-resveratrol 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg, mean peak plasma concentration (C(max)) was 3.89, 7.39, 23.1 and 63.8 ng/mL and mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-tau)) was 3.1, 11.2, 33.0 and 78.9 ng.h/mL. Interindividual variability was high, with coefficients of variation >40%. Trans-resveratrol half-life was 1-3 h following single-doses and 2-5 h following repeated dosing. Trough (C(min)) concentrations were less, not double equals1 ng/mL following 25 and 50 mg, 3 ng/mL following 100 mg and <>
