The role of resveratrol in hepatotoxicity caused by methotrexate

Abstract

Methotrexate is an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug that may induce hepatotoxicity. Resveratrol is a compound that has a protective effect thanks to its antioxidant role. In present study was aimed to investigate posibble protective effects of resveratrol in methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity. Eighteen Wistar Albino rats were equally divided into three groups: Control, Methotrexate, Methotrexate + Resveratrol. After a single dose of methotrexate (15 mg/kg, i.p.), resveratrol (10 mg/kg, orally) was applied for 7 days. Fallowing 7 days, rats were sacrificed. Histopathological (H-E staining), immunohistochemical (Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, inducible Nitric Oxide Synthases, Nuclear Factor Kappa) and biochemical (Total Oxidant Status, Total antioxidants Status and Oxidative Stress Index) analyses were assayed in liver tissue samples. Additionally, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase and Total Biluribin activities were assayed in serum samples for biochemical analyses. Normal liver tissues were observed in control groups. Histopatholocigal changes, high staining of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, inducible Nitric Oxide Synthases, Nuclear Factor Kappa, increasing levels of tissue Total Oxidant Status, Oxidative Stress Index and decreasing levels of tissue Total antioxidants Status were observed in methotrexate groups. Moreover, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase and Total Biluribin levels increased in methotrexate groups too (p<0.05). However, these findings were lower in the Methotrexate + Resveratrol groups (p<0.05). In this study were observed that oxidant levels could increase after methotrexate applied in the liver, whereas resveratrol alleviated effects of hepatotoxicity by histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses. However, molecular studies are needed to clearly understand mechanism of resveratrol.