Investigating the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol on encephalopathy induced by bile duct ligation in male rats

Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder without definitive treatment. The precise mechanism that leads to HE is not fully understood. Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that mitigates the progression of different illnesses such as inflammatory and ischemic diseases. This study reports the effects of RES on neuronal injures in bile duct-ligated rats. The rats were randomly distributed into three groups including sham, bile duct ligation (BDL), and BDL + RES. Behavioral and biochemical studies were performed to evaluate neuronal injuries. The obtained data indicate that BDL experienced a balanced impairment and an increase in the hepatic enzymes. RES had a preserving role in the treated animals. Moreover, RES treatment declined neuronal injuries induced by BDL. For the first time, the results of this study showed that RES has beneficial effects in the rat model of HE probably because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.