Abstract: Objective To study the radiosensitizing effect of resveratrol on human hypo pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
(FaDu) cells in nude mice. Methods Forty-three nude mice bearing FaDu cell xenografts were randomized into control group,
radiotherapy (12 Gy) group, resveratrol treatment (50 mg/kg) group, and radiotherapy plus resveratrol treatment group. After
corresponding treatments, the tumor volume in the mice was measured every 3 days, and the microvessel density (MVD) in
the tumor was evaluated with CD31 immunofluorescence histochemical staining. Results The tumor volume and weight were
the smallest in mice receiving radiotherapy plus resveratrol treatment (P<0.05) but comparable between those having
resveratrol treatment alone and the control mice. Radiotherapy plus resveratrol treatment resulted in a tumor inhibition rate of
76.64% and a significantly decreased MVD in the tumor compared with the other 3 groups. Conclusion Resveratrol can
produce a radiosensitizing effect on human hypopharyngeal carcinoma in nude mice.