The phytoalexin resveratrol (3,4',5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) may attenuate 
cardiovascular disease in man. This study has determined whether treatment with 
resveratrol (1 mg/kg/day orally) prevented cardiac fibrosis and the decreased 
cardiovascular function in the DOCA-salt hypertensive rat as a model of human 
hypertension. Uninephrectomised rats (UNX) administered DOCA (25mg every 4th day 
sc) and 1% NaCl in drinking water for 28 days developed cardiac and vascular 
remodelling. In these DOCA-salt rats, resveratrol decreased inflammatory cell 
infiltration, decreased cardiac fibrosis (left ventricular interstitial and 
perivascular collagen content) and improved cardiac and vascular function. 
Resveratrol attenuated other features of cardiovascular remodelling such as 
increases in systolic blood pressure, left ventricular wet weight, left 
ventricular wall thickness, diastolic stiffness constant, as well as decreased 
cardiac contractility and prolonged action potential duration characteristic of 
DOCA-salt rats. In summary, resveratrol, at a nutritionally relevant dose, 
prevents or attenuates the adverse changes in the cardiovascular system. We 
propose that the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of resveratrol are 
responsible, at least in part, for its amelioration in cardiovascular 
remodelling in DOCA-salt rats. These actions of resveratrol could play an 
important role in the protective effects on the human cardiovascular system 
reported for this constituent of red wine.