Resveratrol: A Potential Protector Against Benzo[a]pyrene- Induced Lung Toxicity

Background and Objective: Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a major component of lipophilic pollutants then can be translated to diffluent substances. The aim of t he present article was to investigate protective activity of resveratrol against lung toxicity induced by B[a]P. Material and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (6 animals/group): 3 negative control groups, control positive, B[a]P (20 mg kg 1 b.wt., resveratrol (50 mg kg 1 b.wt.)-B[a]P and vitamin C (1 g kg 1 b.wt.)-B[a]P groups. Results: The daily oral administration of the resveratrol (50 mg kg 1 b.wt.) and vitamin C (1 g kg 1 b.wt.) for 30 days to rats treated with B[a]P (20 mg kg 1 b.wt.) resulted in a significant improve plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-C as well as serum TNF-α, TBARS, IL-2,IL-6, haptoglobin, histamine, IgA, Ig E,Ig G and Ig M in B[a]P treated rats. On the other hand oral administration of resveratrol elevated the SOD, GPx and GR gene expression in lung rats treated with B[a]P. Furthermore, resveratrol and vitamin C nearly normalized these effects in lung histoarchitecture. Conclusion: The obtained biochemical, molecular biology and histological results of this study proved the lung protective activity of resveratrol against B[a]P induced lung toxicity in rats.