Resveratrol Has Histone 4 and Beta-Defensin 1-Mediated Favorable Biotherapeutic Effects on Liver and Other Target Organs in Diabetic Rats

Background/Aims: It was aimed to investigate the biochemical and histopathological effects of resveratrol and melatonin, via histone H4 and [beta]-defensin 1, in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were categorized into 4 groups, with 6 rats in each group (control, diabetes mellitus, melatonin - diabetes mellitus, and resveratrol + diabetes mellitus). Diabetes was formed by giving streptozotocin to all groups except the control group. Melatonin, 5 mg/kg/day, was given to the melatonin - diabetes mellitus group, and resveratrol, 5 mg/kg/day, was given to the resveratrol + diabetes mellitus group via intraperitoneally for 3 weeks. Interleukin-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, histone H4, and [beta]-defensin 1 levels were measured in the blood of all rats. The lung, liver, and kidney tissue of all rats were performed as histopathological examinations. Results: Whereas there was no difference between the other groups (P > .05), interleukin-1 beta levels of the diabetes mellitus group were found to be significantly higher compared with the control group (5.02 [+ or -] 2.15 vs. 2.38 [+ or -] 0.72 ng/mL; P < .05). Whereas histone H4 levels of the diabetes mellitus group were higher compared with the control and resveratrol + diabetes mellitus groups (7.53 [+ or -] 3.30 vs. 2.97 [+ or -] 1.57 and 3.06 [+ or -] 1.57 ng/mL; P < .05), the [beta]-defensin 1 levels of the diabetes mellitus group were lower compared with control and resveratrol + diabetes mellitus groups (7.6 [+ or -] 2.8 vs. 21.6 [+ or -] 5.5 and 18.8 [+ or -] 7.4 ng/mL; P < .05). [beta]-Defensin 1 levels were moderately inversely correlated with interleukin-1 beta and histone H4 levels (rs > -0.50, P < .01). Histopathological changes found in favor of target cell damage in the diabetes mellitus group were not observed in resveratrol + diabetes mellitus group. Conclusion: Resveratrol may be used as a biotherapeutic agent, which significantly reduces diabetes-induced histone H4 and interleukin-1 beta-mediated liver and other target organ damage. Keywords: Diabetes, histone 4, liver, rat, resveratrol