Resveratrol protects neurons and the myocardium by reducing oxidative stress and ameliorating mitochondria damage in a cerebral ischemia rat model.

BACKGROUND Resveratrol has shown potent antioxidant activity in ischemia models. The present study was performed to determine whether resveratrol protects against cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal and myocardial injury by interfering with mitochondrial homeostasis. METHODS Wistar rats were pretreated with resveratrol or vehicle intraperitoneally for one week and then subjected to cerebral ischemia via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 24 h. Oxidation was evaluated by quantitating SOD activity and MDA levels. Apoptosis and autophagy were measured based on TUNEL staining and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax and LC3II. Mitochondrial changes were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy and by analyzing the mitochondrial membrane potential. RESULTS Resveratrol significantly decreased mortality, neurological deficits, infarction volume and MDA levels and increased SOD activity. Furthermore, neurocyte apoptosis was alleviated by resveratrol as indicated by the increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, increased LC3II expression and a decreased number of TUNEL-positive neurocytes. Resveratrol preserved the mitochondria in neurons and cardiomyocytes and significantly improved cardiac function. CONCLUSION Resveratrol protected brain tissues against ischemic damage by interfering with mitochondrial homeostasis and inhibiting apoptosis. Furthermore, resveratrol attenuated myocardial damage, suggesting that it may be a novel therapy for cerebral ischemia diseases.