Investigation of Possible Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Oxidative Stress and Ferroptosis in PFOA Exposure in HepG-2 Cells

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Objective: Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is linked to adverse health effects, including cancer and hepatic diseases. PFOA induces reactive oxygen species generation in human hepatic cells, causing oxidative stress and cell death. Resveratrol (RSV) has garnered attention for its protective effects against xenobiotic-induced damage, yet its impact on PFOA-induced oxidative stress and ferroptosis in the liver remains understudied. This study investigates RSV's protective mechanisms against oxidative stress and ferroptosis in HepG2 cells exposed to PFOA. Method: HepG2 cells were cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS and 1% penicillin/streptomycin in a 5% CO2 incubator at 37°C. PFOA was added to the cells at concentrations ranging from 0 to 450 µM and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The IC50 was determined to be 457 μM. To examine RSV's protective effects, cells were treated with 60 μM RSV. Following treatment with PFOA, RSV, and the combination of PFOA+RSV, cell lysates were prepared for analysis. Oxidative stress and ferroptosis parameters were measured spectrophotometrically using ELISA. Results: In the PFOA+RSV group, antioxidant capacity increased, and ferroptosis was suppressed compared to the control. Conversely, the PFOA group showed decreased antioxidant capacity, increased oxidant capacity, and induced ferroptosis compared to the control and RSV-treated groups. Conclusion: PFOA exposure heightens oxidative stress and ferroptosis, whereas RSV treatment significantly reduces hepatic oxidative stress and protects against ferroptosis during PFOA exposure.