Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation in Nrf2 and NF-κB Expressions in Nondialyzed Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Clinical Trial

Introduction: Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, resulting from enhanced antioxidant enzymes production and modulating nuclear factors involved in the inflammation-oxidative stress cycle, as nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).

Objective: The study aim was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol supplementation on Nrf2 and NF-κB expression in nondialyzed chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Materials and methods: A randomized, double-blind, crossover trial was performed in 20 nondialyzed CKD patients (62.0 ± 8.0 years old, 45% men, body mass index of 27.7 ± 1.2 kg/m², estimated glomerular filtration rate of 34.0 ± 13.0 mL/minute). Eleven patients were randomly allocated to "placebo first" (4 weeks placebo; 8 weeks washout, 4 weeks 500 mg of resveratrol/day) and 9 to "resveratrol first" (4 weeks 500 mg of resveratrol/day, 8 weeks washout, 4 weeks placebo). The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and processed for expression Nrf2 and NF-κB by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidant enzymes were also measured.

Results: The effect size of Nrf2 supplementation (-0.13, P = .29) and NF-κB (0.09, P = .31) was not significant. There was no difference in proinflammatory biomarkers or antioxidant biomarkers after resveratrol supplementation.

Conclusion: In this pilot study, 500 mg of resveratrol supplementation for 4 weeks had no antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in nondialyzed CKD patients. Additional studies with differing doses and/or time of treatment should be conducted to better elucidate the effects of the resveratrol supplementation in CKD patients.