Resveratrol down-regulated the expression of apoptosis-inducing factor and protected the brain injury in ethanol-induced mouse model

Objective To study the transcript and protein level of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in ethanol-induced brain injury,and elucidate the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on AIF in ethanol-induced neuron injury.Methods The ethanol-induced mouse brain injury model was constructed.Twenty-four 7-day-old mice were injected subcutaneously either with ethanol (ethanol was diluted as a 20％ solution in sterile normal saline,2 g/kg at 0 h and again at 2 h) or with normal saline.When the mice were firstly injected,the resveratrol (80 mg/kg) was given by intragastric administration,and the brain was harvested at 72 h after the last injection.The histological changes of brain tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.The transcript and protein levels of AIF were detected by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and IHC in different groups.Results The relative transcript level of AIF mRNA (2.374 0 ± 0.160 5,n =3) was enhanced in ethanol group by RT-qPCR,as compared with normal saline solution group (1.634 0 ± 0.065 9,n =3) and resveratrol group (1.506 0 ± 0.164 6,n =3),with the difference being significant (F =34.51,P ＜ 0.05).Meanwhile,the yellow substances were found in ethanol group and the number of positive cells was (12.0 ± 3.5,n =3).Only little yellow substance was observed in normal saline group and resveratrol groups.The number of positive cells in saline solution group and resveratrol group was respectively (12.0 ± 3.5,n =3) and (16.0 ± 4.2,n =3),with the difference being significant (F =33.10,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The transcript and protein level of AIF was enhanced in ethanol-induced brain injury model.Resveratrol maybe down-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of AIF and protect the brain injury in ethanol-induced mouse model. Key words: Ethanol;  Brain injury;  Apoptosis-inducing factor;  Resveratrol