Resveratrol Alleviates Arsenic-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats by Correcting SIRT1-Mediated Disorder of Hepatic Bile Acid Metabolism

Liver fibrosis is a reversible phase of arsenic-induced chronic liver injury, with bile acid metabolic alterations closely associated with this pathological process. SIRT1 is a key metabolic regulator and promising therapeutic candidate, while its role in bile acid metabolism during arsenic-induced liver fibrosis remains poorly defined. This study established time-dependent rat models of arsenic-induced liver fibrosis with resveratrol intervention to investigate the potential association between SIRT1, bile acid metabolic disturbance, and liver fibrosis, as well as resveratrol's hepatoprotective effects. Arsenic exposure induces progressive accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids in the liver, inflammation, hepatic stellate cell activation, and fibrosis, accompanied by suppressed expression of bile acid phase II detoxification genes (Baat, Ugt1a1, Sult2a1) and the bile acid efflux transporter gene Abcb11 (BSEP). Arsenic exposure reduces SIRT1 expression and increases C/EBPα acetylation, which may relate to impaired transcription of the aforementioned bile acid metabolic genes. Resveratrol may restore SIRT1 expression, normalize C/EBPα acetylation and bile acid homeostasis, and reduce hepatic arsenic accumulation, thereby alleviating liver fibrosis. Collectively, the SIRT1/C/EBPα axis and bile acid metabolism may be linked to the progression of arsenic-induced liver fibrosis. Resveratrol may exert protective effects via multiple mechanisms, including regulating these molecular targets and reducing hepatic arsenic accumulation.