Resveratrol promotes myenteric neuroprotection in the ileum of rats after ischemia-reperfusion injury

AimsThe present study evaluated the effects of resveratrol in the myenteric plexus after intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by occluding the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min, followed by 7 days of reperfusion.Main methodsForty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: control (C group), untreated sham surgery control (SC group), sham surgery control treated with resveratrol before surgery (STA group), sham surgery control treated with resveratrol before and after surgery (STAD group), ischemic control (IRC group), ischemic treated before I/R (IRTA group), and ischemic treated before and after I/R (IRTAD group). Resveratrol (10 mg/kg) was administered for 4 days and 2 h prior to surgery and/or 7 days later. Morphometric analyses were performed, and the density of the general neuronal population (HuC/D-immunoreactive [IR]), nitrergic subpopulation (neuronal nitric oxide synthase [nNOS]-IR), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)ergic varicosities (VIP-IR), and glial cells (S100-IR) was determined.Key findingsInjury that was caused by I/R significantly reduced (p < 0.01) the HuC/D-IR general neuronal population. Treatment with resveratrol before and after ischemia had a neuroprotective effect. Morphometric changes caused by I/R in nitrergic neurons and varicosities were also attenuated by resveratrol. Ischemia/reperfusion promoted the proliferation of enteric glial cells, and resveratrol treatment before and after I/R reversed this effect.SignificanceResveratrol had neuroprotective effects, showing promise for application in intestinal surgery and transplants.

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