Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Alcohol-induced Hepatic Injury through Nitric Oxide Pathway in Rats

OBJCETIVE To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on alcohol-induced hepatic injury and the relationship with nitric oxide (NO) pathway. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including the normal control group, alcohol-induced hapatic injuried model group, Res 25 mg·kg^-1 group, Res 50 mg·kg^-1 group and Res 100 mg·kg^-1 group. The hepatic injuried model was imitated by ig 55°Red Star Erguotou. Res was administrated twice daily, continuously for 7 days. The contents of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxygen species (ROS), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in liver and the concentrations of serum IFN-γ, IL-10 were determined by the commercial kits. The expression of iNOS was determined by Western blot and the level of iNOS mRNA was measured by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS Compared with the normal control group, the concentrations of LDH, ROS, NO in liver were significantly increased (P<0.01) and GSH was significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. Meantime, in the model group, the level of serum IFN-γ was significantly augmented and serum IL-10 depressed (P<0.01). In addition, the expressions of iNOS and iNOS mRNA were significantly increased (P<0.01). Res reduced the levels of LDH, ROS, NO and iNOS in liver and IFN-γ in serum compared with the model group, respectively. Furthermore, Res significantly increased the concentrations of serum IL-10 and hepatic GSH. Additionally, Res significantly suppressed the expressions of iNOS and iNOS mRNA in liver. CONCLUSION Res may prevent liver from alcoholic impairment via NO pathway.