The protective effects of Resveratrol against radiation-induced intestinal injury

BACKGROUND: Intestinal injury is a potential cause of death after high-dose radiation exposure. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of resveratrol against radiation-induced small intestine injury. METHODS: C57BL/6 N mice were irradiated and treated with resveratrol and/or Ex527 (a potent Sirt1 inhibitor), and subsequent examining intestinal morphological changes, and crypt cell apoptosis. Then, the expression and enzyme activity of SOD2 in the small intestine were examined. Furthermore, Sirt1 and acetylated p53 expression was analysed. RESULTS: Compared to the vehicle control, treatment with resveratrol improved intestinal morphology, decreased apoptosis of crypt cells, maintained cell regeneration, and ameliorated SOD2 expression and activity. Resveratrol also regulated Sirt1 and acetylated p53 expression perturbed by irradiation in the small intestine. The protective effect of resveratrol against ionizing radiation induced small intestine injury was significantly inhibited by Ex527. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that resveratrol decreases the effects of radiation on intestinal injury at least partly via activation of Sirt1. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1915-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.