Resveratrol treatment increases sirtuin 1 levels and alleviates frailty phenotype in knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial

Sep 24, 2025International journal of food sciences and nutrition

Resveratrol raises protective protein levels and reduces frailty in knee osteoarthritis patients in a controlled trial

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Longevity & Aging on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

In a trial involving 123 patients aged 63-75 years, resveratrol significantly reduced frailty and improved pain scores and handgrip strength.

Resveratrol (500 mg/d) was associated with reduced scores on the WOMAC index, indicating less pain during walking.
Patients taking resveratrol showed improved Oxford knee score (OKS), suggesting better overall knee function.
Handgrip strength (HGS) increased in the resveratrol group, which may indicate enhanced physical capability.
No significant changes were observed in knee flexion range-of-motion or gait speed between the two groups.
Higher levels of plasma SIRT1 were found in patients receiving resveratrol, which is linked to reduced frailty scores.

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Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and frailty share pathophysiological processes and are leading causes of disability in the geriatric population; however, effective interventions remain elusive. To investigate the effects of resveratrol, on knee OA and frailty, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial was conducted over 16 weeks in patients with knee OA. 123 patients aged 63-75 years were randomised into placebo ( = 64) and resveratrol (500 mg/d; = 59) groups. Outcome variables assessed at baseline and 16 weeks included OA evaluation using the Oxford knee score (OKS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index, knee flexion range-of-motion (ROM), and gait speed; frailty using Fried's scale; handgrip strength (HGS); and plasma SIRT1. Resveratrol reduced frailty, pain during walking, and WOMAC scores, and improved OKS and HGS (all < 0.05), without affecting ROM or gait speed. Patients receiving resveratrol had higher SIRT1 levels associated with frailty scores. Increased SIRT1 is linked to improved OA symptoms and reduced severity. n n p