Resveratrol supplementation improves functional performance in knee osteoarthritis by upregulating sirtuin 1: a randomized study

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease of joints. Currently, there are no optimal treatment options to cure OA.

To determine whether resveratrol treatment can improve physical function in knee OA patients.

Trial design

This investigation employed a single center-based, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-regulated clinical trial structure.

We led a 12-week clinical study involving 137 knee OA patients, aged 63–73. Participants were divided to form a placebo-taking group (n = 70) and an intervention group receiving 500 mg/day of resveratrol (n = 67). Data collection occurred at the start and after 12 weeks. Key study outcomes included: pain intensity (VAS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), WOMAC index score, knee flexion range of motion (ROM), short physical performance battery (SPPB), handgrip strength (HGS), gait velocity, and levels of SIRT1, C-reactive protein (CRP), and 8-isoprostanes.

After accounting for dropouts, 122 patients were analyzed (placebo: n = 65, resveratrol: n = 57). Resveratrol treatment significantly reduced pain intensity and WOMAC scores, while increasing OKS scores, ROM, gait velocity, HGS, and overall SPPB performance (p < 0.05). In addition, OA patients on resveratrol showed higher plasma SIRT1 and lower 8-isoprostanes levels (p < 0.05). The correlation analysis demonstrated robust associations between changes in plasma SIRT1 and improvements in OKS scores (r² = 0.204, p = 0.0005), SPPB total (r² = 0.223, p = 0.0001), HGS (r² = 0.119, p = 0.008), and gait speed (r² = 0.138, p = 0.004).

Overall, resveratrol supplementation enhances the physical capabilities of OA patients by increasing SIRT1 levels. Further research is warranted to more fully define resveratrol’s impact on knee OA.

This investigation was retrospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (OSF), ensuring transparency and accessibility of the study protocol and outcomes. Registration date (21st April 2025) and URL for protocol (https://osf.io/registries/my-registrations).