Protective effect of resveratrol on doxorubicin-induced artery endothelial apoptosis in lymphoma model of nude mice

AIM:To study the effect of resveratrol (RES) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced artery endothelial apoptosis in lymphoma model of nude mice and associated mechanisms. METHODS: Raji cells were injected subcutaneously to develop the lymphoma model in 30 Balb/c nude mice. Thirty lymphoma models were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (n=10) as control group, group 2 (n=10) as DOX group and group 3 (n=10) as DOX+RES group. Caspase 3 activity of carotid artery tissue was determined by spectrophotometry. iNOS, Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions in carotid artery were detected by immunohistochemisty and endothelial apoptosis of the carotid artery was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Furthermore, iNOS protein expression of carotid artery and NO formation of serum were determined by Western blot and nitrate reductase, respectively. RESULTS: Protein expression of iNOS (P<0.05) and NO (P<0.01) level in DOX+RES group were inhibited compared with those in DOX group. In DOX+RES group, Bcl-2 expression was higher (P<0.01), Bax expression was lower (P<0.01), and caspase 3 activity was significantly lower (P<0.01) than in the DOX group. TUNEL assay showed less endothelial cell apoptosis in DOX+RES group compared with those in DOX group (P<0.01). No difference in tumor volume was found between DOX+RES group and DOX group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: RES has protective effects against doxorubicin-induced artery endothelial cell apoptosis in lymphoma model of nude mice, which may be associated with its inhibitory effect on iNOS/NO pathway.