Protective effects of resveratrol against X-ray irradiation by regulating antioxidant defense system

Ionizing radiation interacts with biomolecules to produce free radicals, which can damage all components of the cell. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of different doses of resveratrol against X-ray-induced damage in male rat. The animals were divided into five groups, each composed of six rats: two groups as control groups received saline or ethanol (ethanol in saline, 25%, V/V as a vehicle). Two groups received resveratrol (5 and 10 mg/kg.bwt) for 30 days before X-ray exposure. One group received X-ray. The rats were sacrificed 24 h after the last exposure, blood samples were collected and serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured by spectrophotometric method. X-ray irradiation significantly increased the levels of MDA and decreased TAC as well as SOD activity as compared with control groups. Furthermore, resveratrol pretreatment led to remarkable decrease in MDA concentration and increase in the activities of SOD and CAT as well as TAC compared to those of controls. Our results revealed antioxidant properties of resveratrol and suggest it as a potent radioprotector to ameliorate X-irradiation induced damage in the body.