Vitexin protects against ethanol-induced liver injury through Sirt1/p53 signaling pathway

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of Vitexin on inhibiting ethanol-induced liver damage and explore the underling mechanism. In vitro, the injury was induced in LO2 cell by 100 mM ethanol. Cell viability, AST, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis rate, and related gene and protein expressions were assessed. Alcoholic liver injury model was made by intragastric infusion of alcohol for 4 weeks on male KM mice. Liver index, AST, ALT, TC, TG, TP, TBIL in serum and liver pathology were evaluated. Meanwhile, the level of SOD, MDA and TNF-α also were detected by Kits. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis the Sirt1/p53 pathway related gene and protein expressions. In vitro, Vitexin restored cytoactive and inhibited the releasing of AST induced by ethanol in LO2 cell. Vitexin treatment significantly suppressed the elevation of aminotransferase, blood lipid, UA in mice. Vitexin ameliorated liver pathological changes induced by ethanol. Vitexin supplement restored the decrease of Sirt1/Bcl-2 expression, restrained the elevation of caspase3, cleaved caspse-3, p53 and ac-p53 expression in vivo and in vitro. Vitexin has a protective effect against ethanol-induced liver damage, and the underlying mechanism is probably through Sirt1/p53 mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.