Effectiveness of resveratrol as a hepatoprotector in a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of resveratrol as a hepatoprotector in a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury and its biodistribution to understand its pharmacokinetics. Methodology: As an experimental approach, animals were divided into the test group with 4 subgroups and the control group with 4 subgroups. Animals of the "treated" group were subjected to resveratrol pre-treatment for eight days, followed by intoxication with a high dose of paracetamol on the 8th day. Animals were euthanized to collect the blood and liver tissue samples 24 and 72 h after the last administration. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated through serum levels of glycogen and hepatic enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), histological and morphometric analysis of the liver tissue. For biodistribution analysis, different organs (organs, kidneys, heart and lungs) were collected and macerated, and resveratrol was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analyses of morphometry, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase measurements, and biodistribution results were performed using GraphPad Prism® 3.0. Differences between groups were compared using ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.