Effects of Resveratrol on Recovery from Acute Ischemic Stroke Among Patients Who Received Delayed Alteplase: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Background and Objective: Neuroprotective effects of resveratrol in the context of cerebrovascular conditions has been reported. In the present study, the effect of resveratrol on functional outcomes was investigated among a group of acute ischemic stroke patients who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) after 3 hours of stroke onset. Methods: This clinical trial study (trial registration number: IRCT20191020045162N1) was registered on 2020-03-12. Sixty patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent rt-PA therapy between 3 to 4:30 hours after stroke onset participated in the study. They were allocated into resveratrol and placebo groups by permuted block randomization method. The first group received 450 mg of resveratrol in three daily doses and the other group received a placebo containing excipient for 30 days. Outcomes were measured by the national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (MRS), and Barthel index (BI) at discharge as well as three and six months after the stroke. The outcomes were compared between groups by repeated measures analysis. Results: Although the NIHSS score significantly decreased over time in both groups, resveratrol had no significant therapeutic effect on NIHSS outcomes compared to placebo (P = 0.99). After three- and six-month reexaminations, MRS decreased and Barthel index increased significantly over time in the resveratrol group, indicating less handicap and more functional recovery compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: Resveratrol improved long-term functional recovery measured by MRS and Barthel index.