Protective effect of resveratrol on intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Objective To test the effect of resvertrol on protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier in rats with severe acute pancreatitis. Methods Twenty four SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, severe acute pancreatitis without treatments (SAP group), severe acute pancreatitis with sham-operations (SO group), and severe acute pancreatitis treated with resveratrol (RES group). Specimen were obtained 6 hours after the severe acute pancreatitis was induced. The endotoxin level in the blood taken from portal vein was measured with turbidimetry. Apoptosis of mucosal cells was detected by TUNEL methods. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA in intestinal mucosal cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Mitochondrial membranous electric potential of intestinal mucosal cells was measured by confocal microscopy. Results The RES group had less serum endotoxin in portal vein than the SAP group (P<0.01). The SAP group had higher apoptotic index of mucosal cells than the RES group (P<0.01). The SAP group had higher expression of Bax mRNA in intestinal mucosal cells and lower expression of Bcl-2 mRNA than the RES group (P<0.01). The SAP group had lower mitochondrial membranous electric potential of intestinal mucosal cells than the REA group (P < 0.01). Conclusion Resvertrol inhibits the apoptosis of intestinal mucosa cells and protects the intestinal barrier function, which might prevent the translocation of bacteria and endotoxin in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.