Resveratrol attenuates oxidative stress and histological alterations induced by liver ischemia/reperfusion in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of resveratrol on liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. METHODS: A total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 240-290 g were randomized into four groups of ten: (1) controls: data from unmanipulated animals; (2) sham group: rats subjected to the surgical procedure, except for liver I/R, and given saline; (3) I/R group: rats underwent liver ischemia for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 45 min; (4) I-R/Resveratrol group: rats pretreated with resveratrol (10 mu mol/L, iv). Liver tissues were obtained to determine antioxidant enzyme levels and for biochemical and histological evaluation. RESULTS: Plasma aminotransferase activities were higher in the I/R group than in the I-R/Resveratrol group. Malondialdehyde levels and the hepatic injury score decreased, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels increased in group 4 compared to group 3. In group 4, histopathological changes were significantly attenuated in resveratrol-treated livers. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that resveratrol has protective effects against hepatic I/R injury, and is a potential therapeutic drug for ischemia reperfusionrelated liver injury. (C) 2008 The WIG Press. All rights reserved.