Abstract

Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring polyphenol recently postulated to be a powerful antioxidant, hepatoprotective and a potential anti-hyperglycemic. Our research aimed to investigate some possible mechanisms of action that may contribute to the efficacy of RSV to reverse the IR and hepatic complications associated with metabolic syndrome experimentally induced in rats using high fat-high fructose (HFHF) diet model. Results revealed that RSV treatment (40 mg/kg p.o) for ten days protected against IR and hepatic insult as demonstrated by reduction in HOMA-IR, hepatic HAIR and LAIR expression, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), TNF-α levels, oxidative and nitrosative stresses, serum AST and ALT. Furthermore; increasing serum albumin and total protein levels and improving hepatic tissue; cell energy status by increasing adenylate energy charge (AEC) and reducing AMP/ATP ratio and preserving hepatic tissue cellular integrity represented by lowering 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHDG); the results were comparable to those of metformin. As a conclusion; using RSV could be valuable in treatment of hepatic complications associated with metabolic syndrome.

Key words: Adenylate energy charge; DNA fragmentation; Metabolic syndrome; Resveratrol.