Preventive Effects of Resveratrol against Azoxymethane nduced Damage in Rat Liver

Abstract

<strong>Background:</strong> In recent years, due to modern lifestyles and exposure to chemical carcinogens, cancer casesare steadily increasing. From this standpoint, azoxymethane (AOM), a chemical carcinogen which causes denovo liver damage, and resveratrol, which is an antioxidant found in foods and protects against oxidative stressdamage, are of interest. We here aimed to evaluate whether resveratrol could protect the liver tissues from theeffects of AOM. Materials and <br /><strong>Methods</strong>: The study was conducted in 4 groups, each consisting of seven rats, thefirst receiving only AOM (2 times per week, 5 mg/kg), group 2 AOM and resveratrol (2 times a week, 20 mg/kg),group 3 assessed only as a control and group 4 administered only resveratrol. At the end of the seventh week, therats were sacrificed. Rat liver MDA, NO, GSH levels were analyzed biochemically, as well as the tissues beingevaluated histopathologically. <br /><strong>Results</strong>: MDA and NO increased in AOM group as signs of increased oxidativestress. The group concomitantly administered resveratrol was been found to be significantly decreased in MDAand NO levels and increased in GSH activity. However, there were no significant findings on histopathologicalevaluation. <br /><strong>Conclusions</strong>: In the light of these results, resveratrol appears to exert protective effect on oxidatives tress in the liver tissue due to deleterious effects of chemical carcinogens.