Resveratrol lowers synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory markers and oxidative damage in an acute antigen-induced arthritis model

Objective. The present study aimed to determine the protective effects of dietary supplementation with resveratrol (RSV) in an acute antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) model. Methods. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, AIA and RSV-treated AIA group. RSV (12.5 mg/kg/day) was given orally for 8 weeks before induction of AIA and until the end of the experiment (48 h after intra-articular injection). The control and AIA animals were administered 100 mu l of water. Results were evaluated by macroscopic observation, histopathology and immunohistochemistry for anti-PCNA, macrophages (CD68), T lymphocytes (CD3), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanine (a marker of DNA damage). Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 in serum and peroxidase activity in synovial tissue were measured using commercial kits. Results. At the end of the study, RSV significantly reduced knee swelling. Likewise, the histological score of synovial tissue also reduced significantly. The arthritis-protective effects were associated with a significant decrease in PCNA, CD68, CD3 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 staining, as well as a reduction in serum concentrations of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1. RSV treatment also decreased the level of the marker of DNA damage, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanine. Accordingly, peroxidase activity in the synovial tissue was up-regulated. Conclusion. Dietary supplementation with RSV lowers the main pathological hallmarks of RA disease in an acute model of AIA. RSV may represent a promising strategy in controlling the severity of RA.