ALT levels, which indicate hepatic integrity, did not differ between control and treated rats. AST was significantly higher in rats treated with trans-resveratrol than in controls. However, both means were within reference values provided by Harlan Ibèrica and Alemán et al. (28Citation ). Ringler and Dabich (29Citation ) suggested that ALT is the most reliable variable for the evaluation of hepatic toxicity, whereas AST is not as useful because of its wide distribution. Renal function and the plasma levels of electrolytes were not different between treated and control groups, and were within reference values. In conclusion, the minor changes found in the concentration of this enzyme suggest that no important alteration of hepatic function took place in trans-resveratrol-treated rats.
No histological changes were observed. Therefore, under the conditions of this study the no observed adverse effect level was 300 mg reseveratrol/kg bwt, and the kidney was identified as the major target organ of toxicity in animals treated with 3000 mg/kg bwt.
Hemolysis also releases erythrocyte arginase 1 into plasma. Arginase metabolizes plasma arginine into ornithine, reducing the required substrate for nitric oxide synthesis