Red wine ameliorates CCl4 – induced acute liver injury in rats

Consumption of a naturally occurring polyphenol, in moderate amounts, has been suggested to be beneficial to health. The present study investigated the efficacy of red wine on prevention of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute hepatic injury in wistar rats. Hepatic damage due to CCl4 intoxication was assessed by employing biochemical parameters, markers of hepatic oxidative damage were measured in terms of ROS, MDA, GSH and enzyme antioxidants (CAT, SOD, GPx) levels. Immune parameters (IgG1, IgG2, CD4, CD8), cytokines (IL-6, IL-10) and gene expressions of COX-2 and CYP2E1 were carried out. In addition, CCl4-induced pathological changes in liver were evaluated by histopathological studies. Pre-treatment with red wine significantly prevented increase in serum hepatic enzymatic activities, ROS, MDA levels as well as depletion of glutathione. Pre-treatment of red wine normalized the antioxidant enzyme activities in CCl4 intoxicated rats. Our data revealed that pre-treatment with red wine normalized the levels of interleukin 6 &10, IgG and CD4 cell count. Pre-treatment of red wine significantly prevented COX-2 inflammatory response and the up regulation of CYP2E1 expression as well. Histopathological findings also revealed the protective effect of red wine. Our findings provide evidence to demonstrate that red wine has a potent hepato-protective effect on CCl4-induced liver injury in rats through its antioxidative, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity.