Protective Effects of Melatonin on Oxidative Damage Induced by Paraquat in Rat Liver
2000
Choi Chang-Kwon | Cho Jong-Hoo College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Chonju (Korea Republic)
Melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyl tryptamine), which is the major product of the pineal gland, was recently found to have potent efficient scavenging of free radicals. In order to investigate the antioxidative effect of melatonin on the paraquat-induced oxidative damage in rat liver, we examined the three different parameters: (1) changes in total and oxidized glutathione, (2) the activity of glutathione peroxidase, and (3) a formation of fluorescent and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). A dose-dependent decrease in total glutathione and glutathione-peroxidase activities was observed in rat liver injected with paraquat at a dose of 50 mg/kg or higher. Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in oxidized glutathione contents and the formation of TBARS and fluorescent substances was observed in rat liver injected with paraquat at a dose of 50 mg/kg or higher. However, these effects of paraquat-induced oxidative damage were reduced by melatonin (10 mg/kg). We suggested that melatonin have an ability to protect against paraquat-induced oxidative damage in rat liver.
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