Resveratrol at 10-20 μmol/L concentrations significantly inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration triggered by PDGF-BB, with effects comparable to rapamycin. The compound reduced key proliferation markers including Ki-67, Cyclin D1, and PCNA while suppressing mTOR phosphorylation and downstream p70S6K signaling. In rats with carotid artery balloon injury, oral resveratrol (50 mg/kg daily for 21 days) decreased intima-to-media thickness ratios, indicating reduced neointimal hyperplasia.
This mechanistic insight into resveratrol's anti-proliferative effects strengthens the case for its cardiovascular protective potential beyond its well-known antioxidant properties. The mTOR pathway represents a critical hub linking nutrient sensing to cellular growth, making it an attractive therapeutic target for preventing restenosis after vascular interventions. However, the translation from this rodent balloon injury model to human atherosclerosis and stent restenosis requires caution. The dosages used here substantially exceed typical dietary intake levels, suggesting therapeutic applications would likely require supplementation. While confirmatory of resveratrol's vascular benefits, this research primarily validates known mechanisms rather than revealing novel pathways.