Background and aims Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease where therapeutics are associated with various side effects. As dietary factors have been associated in the prevention of different diseases this study aimed to exploit resveratrol, a polyphenol derived from peanuts, grapes, etc as a dietary factor supporting therapeutics by using its antioxidative properties in the management of oxidative stress in a pristane induced murine model of lupus.

Methods The model was established by injecting 0.5 ml of pristane intra-peritoneally and oxidative stress was assessed after 6 months. 25 mg/kg body weight of resveratrol was given orally after 2 months of pristane administration daily for the next 4 months.

Results The increased level of reactive oxygen species (Mean Flourescence value at 0 month: 1.70±0.22 to 4.89±1.37 at 6 months) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the model decreased significantly after resveratrol treatment (1.75±0.21). Pristane treatment decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes like Catalase in lungs, Superoxide Dismutase in lungs and spleen and Glutathione peroxidase in liver and lungs. Resveratrol increased the activity of all these enzymes and a significant increase was observed in the activity of Superoxide Dismutase in lungs. Pristane treatment decreased the levels of reduced glutathione and increased lipid peroxidation in kidneys, liver, lungs and spleen. Resveratrol treatment restored reduced glutathione level and decreased lipid peroxidation.

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Table 1

Comparison of enzyme activity of Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxide in kidney, Liver, lung and spleen at 0 month, after 6 month pristane treatment and after resveratrol treatment. Values are expressed as Mean±SEM. Catalase Units: μM of H₂0₂ decomposed per minute. Superoxide Dismutaes Units: Amount of enzyme which inhibits the rate of reaction by 50% per minute. Glutathoine Peroxidase: μM of NADPH oxidised per minute.

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Table 2

Comparision of the levels of reduced glutathione and lipid peroxidation in Kidney, liver, lung and spleen at 0 month, 6 month pristane treatment and after resveratrol treatment. Values are expressed as Mean±SEM.

Conclusions In conclusion this study states that, the consumption of resveratrol helps in better management of the disease by combating oxidative stress, the root cause of different manifestations observed in lupus.