University of Rochester researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell’s core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function. The study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted (pre-treated with the antioxidant, resveratrol, and irradiated) the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy. It appears that resveratrol not only reaches its intended target, injuring the nexus of malignant cells, but also protects normal tissue from the harmful effects of radiation. While additional studies are needed, research indicates that resveratrol has a promising future.
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center, Mar 25, 2008
