Resveratrol attenuates hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice via the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect extra-articular organs such as the liver, and the problem of drug-induced liver injury caused by traditional antirheumatic drugs for improving the condition cannot be ignored. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol (Res) on hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and to elucidate the relationship between the regulatory mechanisms of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) signaling pathway.

METHODS

In this study, we used chicken type II collagen in combination with complete Freund's adjuvant to induce arthritis in a mouse model, and Res was administered by tube feeding to detect the serum biochemical liver function and inflammation levels, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the livers of mice. An in vitro cellular model of liver inflammation and oxidative stress was established by treating mouse primary hepatocytes (MPHs) with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and H2O2. The intrinsic mechanism of Res in attenuating hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in CIA mice was explored by treating MPHs with an Nrf2 inhibitor and Keap1 overexpression plasmid.

RESULTS

Res significantly reduced the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in liver tissues of CIA mice as well as in MPHs treated with TNF-α and H2O2 and activated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Inflammation and oxidative stress levels in MPHs were exacerbated by the use of Nrf2 inhibitors and Keap1 overexpression, which promoted apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the intrinsic mechanism of Res of attenuating hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in CIA mice through the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, which provides a new idea for finding hepatoprotective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.