Protective effect of grape seed procyanidin extract against fluoride-induced hepatic injury in rats

This study aimed to determine the effects of grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) in alleviating sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced hepatic injury. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, NaF, NaF+GSPE, and NaF+Vc (vitamin C). After 28 days of intervention, key liver function-related biochemical parameters, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes in the hepatic tissue were analyzed. The oxidative stress was closely related to hepatic cell apoptosis as measured using the TUNEL method. In addition, the levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by western blot. Compared with the control group, the NaF group showed reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes GSH, CAT, and SOD, with concomitantly increased MDA content, apoptosis, and histopathological damage in the liver tissues. However, GSPE administration significantly attenuated the oxidative stress and apoptosis in hepatic tissue and recovered histopathological damage. In addition, GSPE supplementation up-regulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 level and decreased pro-apoptotic Bax level. In conclusion, our results suggest that GSPE can exert antioxidant and anti-apoptotic protective effects against fluoride-induced hepatic injury in a rat model.