Resveratrol delays the progression of atherosclerosis via inducing autophagy

AIM To investigate the role and mechanism of resveratrol in the progression of atherosclerosis. METHODS Sixty ApoE^-/- mice were randomly divided into four groupscontrol, high-fat diet, resveratrol, high-fat diet+resveratrol. Aortic plaques were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and blood lipids were detected by biochemical analyses. Western blot was performed to detect microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3) and Protein 62/Sequestosome 1(p62) changes. Macrophages(murine RAW 264.7 cells) were randomly divided into four groupscontrol, ox-LDL, resveratrol, ox-LDL+resveratrol. Apoptotic index was examined by TUNEL and expressions of LC3 and p62 were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS With resveratrol treatment, atherosclerotic plaque area was decreased, LC3 Ⅱ level increased and p62 level decreased(P<0.05). After ox-LDL cultured RAW264.7 cell treatment with resveratrol, apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells decreased(P<0.05). Similarly, LC3 Ⅱ level increased and the p62 level declined(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Progression of atherosclerosis is associated with declining autophagy. Resveratrol may delay the progression of atherosclerosis. The mechanism may be related to the enhancement of autophagy.