Background: Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grape and red wine, was previously shown to have free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties in various tissues. In this study, the effects of resveratrol were investigated in muscle tissue concerning the ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury of rat hindlimb.
Methods: Arterial circulation of right hindlimbs of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats was ceased by a tourniquet applied for four hours (h). The tourniquet was released at the end of 4th hours and rats were divided into four groups of six rats. Then, extremity was reperfused for 4h in group I and for 8h in group II. Resveratrol in 0.5% ethyl alcohol was administered with a dose of 10 mg/kg in the treatment groups (group I and group II) intraperitoneally. Only 0.5% ethyl alcohol were administered in the control groups (group III and group IV) intraperitoneally. Gastrocnemius muscle was used for histological assessments and the anterior tibial muscle was used for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.
Results: MN infiltration, edema, changes in diameters of muscle fibers and segmental necrosis were less prominent in rats treated with resveratrol compared with control groups (p<0.05). The MDA levels was significantly lower in treatment groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results suggest that resveratrol may protect the skeletal muscles against I/R injury with its potent antioxidant properties.