The effect of resveratrol on changes of oxidative stress factors induced by rotenone in hippocampus of ovariectomized rats

Rotenone as a pesticide, damages the nervous system by oxidative stress. According to the published articles that reported the protective role of estrogen in the nervous system and resveratrol against oxidative stress, in this study, the protective effect of resveratrol was evaluated on oxidative stress factors induced by rotenone in hippocampus at present and absence of estrogen in female ovariectomized rats.

Forty-eight female rats were respectively divided groups and treated with saline, rotenone, ovariectomized, resveratrol, ovariectomized+rotenone, ovariectomized+resveratrol, rotenone+resveratrol and ovariectomized+rotenone+resveratrol. Rotenone was administrated intraperitoneally and resveratrol was given orally every day for 21 days.  At the end of experiment, malondialdehyde and glutathione level, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in hippocampus were evaluated. Also, estrogen and progesterone in serum were measured.

Rotenone significantly decreased estrogen and progesterone. Furthermore, glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity reduced, while malondialdehyde significantly increased. Although, estrogen and progesterone and glutathione and catalase significantly decreased in ovariectomized group, but malondialdehyde significantly increased. Resveratrol could significantly increase estrogen and progesterone in resveratrol+rotenone and resveratrol+ovariectomized groups. It significantly increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the intact ovariectomized rats that received rotenone, while reduced malondialdehyde in the rotenone, ovariectomized and ovariectomized+rotenone groups were observed.

Resveratrol was able to reduce the oxidative stress which induced by rotenone and absence of estrogen in the hippocampal tissue of rats.