Beneficial impact of red grape juice against tissue damage induced by ethanol toxicity in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and therapeutic roles of red grape juice (Vitis vinifera fruit juice) against tissue damage in rats under the effect of ethanol toxicity. 10% ethanol was administered orally (2ml/kg body weight) to rats for two weeks. The results revealed that oral administration of red grape juice (2ml/rat) daily for four weeks to rats either along with or after ethanol intoxication markedly ameliorated the alteration in the serum biomarkers of hepatic and cardiac functions, including L-alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and albumin as biomarkers of hepatic function, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as markers of hepatic and cardiac functions, and creatine kinase (CK) as a marker of cardiac muscle damage. However, non significant change in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and total protein was observed between intoxicated rats and normal healthy ones. The red grape juice also successfully modulated the decrease in the serum total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as the alteration in the serum lipid profiles namely, triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol (TCh), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), in rats under the effect of ethanol with respect to intoxicated untreated ones. However, non-significant change in the serum kidney function biomarkers (creatinine, urea and uric acid) in ethanol intoxicated rats versus normal healthy animals was observed.

In conclusion, treatment with red grape juice along with (as protective agent) or after (as therapeutic) ethanol intoxication may protect or recover liver and cardiac tissue damage induced by the toxic effects of ethanol.