Production of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 is suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner.

Trans-resveratrol is a biologically active compound present in certain foods that has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. These beneficial effects are derived from both the immune system and cytokines. The purpose of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effect of trans-resveratrol on the ex vivo production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Trans-resveratrol (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 microM) was added to blood samples from male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) along with 100 U of LPS (Escherichia coli serotype, 055B5). The samples were then incubated for 4 h at 37 degrees C and centrifuged. Finally, concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 in the plasma were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The production of inflammatory (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) and anti-inflammatory (IL-6) cytokines was suppressed by trans-resveratrol in a concentration-dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that the immunomodulatory effect of trans-resveratrol plays an important role in disease conditions that involve an overproduction of inflammatory cytokines.