Schisandrin B co-treatment ameliorates the impairment on mitochondrial antioxidant status in various tissues of long-term ethanol treated rats.

The effect of schisandrin B (Sch B) on long-term ethanol-induced oxidative stress in various rat tissues was investigated. Long-term ethanol treatment increased reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) level in plasma. The ethanol-induced oxidative stress was assessed by mitochondrial glutathione and α-tocopherol levels, antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (mtMDA) production and heat shock protein (Hsp) 25/70 levels. Liver was most susceptible to oxidative stress with a significant increase in mtMDA production. Long-term Sch B treatment enhanced mitochondrial antioxidant status in a tissue non-specific manner. Sch B co-treatment ameliorated the alterations in plasma ROM levels, mtMDA production and Hsp 25/70 expression in rat tissues.