The protective effect of resveratrol on brain injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective: To explore the protective effect of resveratrol on rat brain injury resulting from severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods: Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, sham-operation (SO) group, severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group, resveratrol-treated (RES) group and dexamethasone-treated (DEX) group, with eight rats in each group evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 h. Levels of serum myelin basic protein (MBP), tight junction protein zonula occludens 1 (Zo-1), TNF-α and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. The ultrastructural changes of the brain and pancreatic tissues were examined using a transmission electron microscope. Results: MBP, Zo-1, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in RES group were lower than those in SAP group at all time points (P<0.05). RES and DEX groups had a significantly improved brain pathology compared to SAP group, which had ultrastructural changes such as obvious neuron swelling, capillary hemostasis, thrombosis and cell apoptosis. The parameters did not differ significantly between RES and DEX groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The degradation of Zo-1 is involved in the pathophysiology of brain injury in SAP; MBP can be used as a marker of brain injury in SAP rats. Resveratrol can inhibit brain injury associated with SAP.