Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (29): 6285-6294.doi: 10.12307/2025.798

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Role and mechanism of resveratrol in delaying exercise-induced fatigue

Chen Jun1, Jia Shaohui2, Guo Chenggen3, Xue Xinxuan3, Dong Kunwei4    

  1. 1School of Graduate, 2School of Sports Medicine, 3School of Sports Training, 4School of Art, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • Received:2024-09-23 Accepted:2024-11-12 Online:2025-10-18 Published:2025-03-08
  • Contact: Dong Kunwei, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, School of Art, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • About author:Chen Jun, Master candidate, School of Graduate, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Youth Foundation for Humanities and Social Science Research of Ministry of Education, No. 24YJC890016 (to GCG); Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Hubei Province, No. Q20234103 (to GCG); Scientific Research Project of Education Department of Hubei Province, No. B2019193 (to JSH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound in plants, recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative properties. Its role in preventing and treating various chronic diseases has been extensively documented. Recent evidence suggests that resveratrol may help delay exercise-induced fatigue, although the underlying mechanisms remain to be systematically elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible role and mechanism of resveratrol in delaying exercise-induced fatigue, based on the mechanism of exercise-induced fatigue, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research and application of resveratrol in the field of sports nutrition.
METHODS: Chinese and English search terms were “resveratrol, exercise-induced fatigue, oxidative stress, inflammation, energy substance, muscle injury, mitochondrial quality, neurotransmitter.” CNKI, WanFang Data, and PubMed were searched for relevant research literature published from January, 1992 to August 2024. A total of 73 core related articles were obtained according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound commonly found in plants such as grape skins, berries, and peanuts. It exhibits multiple biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-aging, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Resveratrol shows potential for preventing and treating various chronic diseases and is also thought to delay the onset of exercise-induced fatigue. (2) Exercise-induced fatigue is a non-pathological fatigue phenomenon with a complex mechanism. It is related to peripheral mechanisms such as the depletion of energy substrates, the accumulation of metabolic by-products, inflammation, and oxidative stress, as well as central mechanisms, including protective inhibition by the central nervous system and neurotransmitter imbalances. (3) Resveratrol activates the kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway, upregulating antioxidant-related genes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase while downregulating genes such as malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, ultimately reducing oxidative stress. Resveratrol also activates silent information regulator 1, inhibits the nuclear factor-kappaB and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 inflammasome pathways, and downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β, alleviating inflammation. Additionally, resveratrol increases short-chain fatty acid production by the gut microbiota, elevates the lactate/pyruvate ratio in the liver to promote gluconeogenesis, and enhances fatty acid oxidation, thereby improving energy substrate utilization. Furthermore, through silent information regulator 1/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α/nuclear respiratory factor 1 activation, resveratrol enhances mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle, promotes mitochondrial fusion and fission for optimal dynamics, and activates mitophagy, improving mitochondrial quality. It also diminishes plasma tryptophan levels, decreases excessive serotonin secretion in the brain, increases dopamine release, and reduces glutamate toxicity, helping regulate neurotransmitter imbalances. Moreover, resveratrol lowers plasma lactate and ammonia levels, promoting metabolic by-product clearance, thereby delaying the onset of exercise-induced fatigue. (4) While current evidence indicates that resveratrol is effective in delaying exercise-induced fatigue, the optimal dose, timing, and duration of supplementation remain uncertain. Moreover, the interactions between resveratrol and other supplements, such as caffeine and vitamins, remain underexplored. Thus, future research should focus on optimizing supplementation strategies for resveratrol.

Key words: resveratrol, exercise-induced fatigue, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial quality, energy substance, neurotransmitter, review, engineered tissue construction

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