Asociación de la exposición habitual al resveratrol en la dieta con el desarrollo de fragilidad en la edad avanzada: Invecchiare in Chianti study

M. Rabassa, R. Zamora-Ros, M. Urpi-Sarda, S. Bandinelli, L. Ferrucci, C. Andres-Lacueva, A. Cherubini

Am J Clin Nutr. 2015;102:1534–42

Studies have suggested that oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are key factors in the causal link between aging and the development of frailty syndrome (FS).

 Resveratrol and its glycoside piceid are bioactive compounds mainly present in grapes, red wine and in very low concentrations in peanuts, pistachios, berries, tomatoes, chocolate, apples, and beer. Several studies have shown the potential effects of resveratrol against aging-related diseases.

This study has prospectively evaluated the association between habitual dietary resveratrol exposure and the development of FS after 3-, 6-, and 9-years follow-up periods in a community-dwelling older population.

A longitudinal analysis was conducted with the use of data from 769 participants aged ≥ 65 year from the Invecchiare in Chianti (Aging in Chianti) study. Total dietary resveratrol (TDR) intake was estimated at baseline with the use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire, and an ad hoc resveratrol database. Total urinary resveratrol (TUR) was analyzed at baseline. The combination of both measures [total dietary resveratrol plus total urinary resveratrol (TDR +TUR)] was computed. FS was assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-years of follow-up and was defined as the presence of ≥3 of the following 5 criteria: shrinking, exhaustion, sedentariness, slowness, and weakness.

TDR+TUR concentrations were inversely associated with FS risk over 3-year of follow-up (OR for comparison of extreme tertiles: 0.11; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.45; P-trend = 0.002) but not after 6- and 9-years of follow-up.

This study has shown that higher habitual dietary resveratrol exposure was associated with lower risk of older community dwellers developing FS during the first 3 years of follow-up but not after longer follow-up periods.

Comment: Nutritional intervention is an option contemplated in the management of frailty. It is critical find nutritional principles that can improve, delay or prevent frailty.