Abstract
Pyraclostrobin (Pyra) is a fungicide in the strobilurin class and has proven to be very toxic to aquatic species. Resveratrol (Res) is a phytoalexin that exhibits multiple bioactivities as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protective, and anti-aging in animals and is found in plant species such as mulberry, peanut, and grape. This study aimed to determine the protective effect of Res against Pyra-induced oxidative stress in rats. For this purpose, a total of 48 male rats divided into 6 groups − 8 in each group - were exposed to 30 mg/kg Pyra by oral gavage once a day for 4 weeks and to 3 different concentrations of Res (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) together with Pyra. It was observed that, in groups administered with Pyra, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased whereas glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels decreased. It was observed that, in the group administered with Pyra, expression levels of CYP2E1 gene, which is associated with increased cancer risk, pro-apoptotic BAX gene, apoptotic caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 genes, NFκB gene, which is a pro-inflammatory transcription factor, and p53 gene, which plays a regulatory role in the cell, increased whereas expression level of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene decreased. It was determined that Res administrations improved Pyra-induced oxidative damage, histopathological changes and expression levels of various genes. According to the ssDNA analysis obtained from the DNA isolated from the blood; when DNA damage and histopathological damage in tissues were examined, it was observed that the highest damage was in the group administered with Pyra and the damage decreased depending on the increase in dose of Res. Consequently, it was observed that Res, known for its antioxidant protective properties, exhibited a protective effect against oxidative stress caused by Pyra.