Regulation of Bcl-2 and the NF-kB Signaling Pathway by Succinyl Rotundic Acid in Livers of Rats with Alcoholic Hepatitis

In this study, the protective effects of succinyl rotundic acids on alcoholic hepatitis in irradiated rats as well as the effects of Bcl-2-Bax-caspase-3 and the NF-kB signal pathways were studied. SD rats were divided into four groups randomly: normal; model; and succinyl rotundic acid low-, middle-, and high-dose groups. Distilled water, 60% ethanol and 60% ethanol +SRA, respectively, were given for 30 days. ELISA was used to measure serum levels of LDH, AST, ALT, NOS, NO, MDA, GSH and TG. Western blotting was used to measure protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, NF-kB p 65, IKBA, HO-1, Nrf2 and CYP2E1. Compared with the model group, LDH, AST, ALT, NOS, NO, MDA and TG levels were lower in serum of low-, middle-, and high-dose groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05 in all); GSH content was greater in serum of low-, middle- and high-dose groups (P < 0.05). Levels of Bcl-2, HO-1, and Nrf2 were greater (P < 0.01 in all); those of Bax, caspase-3, NF-kB p65, IKBA, and CYP2E1 were lower (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 in all). These findings suggest that succinyl rotundic acid reduces inflammatory reactions by reducing levels of NOS and NO, regulating levels of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, NF-kB, and anti-oxidative stress pathways, and has an antagonistic effect on alcoholic liver injury. The agent has potential to treat clinical alcoholic liver disease. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers