Protective effect of melatonin against nodularin-induced oxidative stress in mouse liver

Nodularin is a hepatotoxin from a cyanobacterium, Nodularia spumigena, that inhibits protein phosphatases 1 and 2 and posseses tumor-promoting activity. The aim of this paper was to examine whether nodularin is able to induce oxidative stress in mouse liver tissue and whether melatonin (protective compound against oxidative damage) could supress the activity of nodularin.We studied the effect of nodularin (1, 5, and 10 microg/kg body weight) and melatonin (5, 10, and 15 mg/kg body weight) administration on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in mouse liver. Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with nodularin per 7 days decreased the activities of all estimated enzymes in a dose-dependent manner. Intraperitoneal treatment of animals with melatonin per 7 days increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and this effect was concentration-dependent. Co-treatment (nodularin 5 microg/kg body weight + melatonin 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg body weight per 7 days) and post-treatment with melatonin (nodularin 5 microg/kg body weight per 7 days + melatonin 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg body weight per next 7 days) increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px in comparison to the nodularin group. No significant differences from the nodularin group were noted in the group after pre-treatment with melatonin. In conclusion, these findings suggest that oxidative damage may be involved in the toxicity of nodularin. Moreover, co-treatment and post-treatment with 10 and 15 mg/kg body weight of melatonin may protect against nodularin-induced oxidative stress. There was no protective effect of pre-treatment with melatonin.     

Protective role of carnitine ester against radiation-induced oxidative stress in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effect of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) against gamma-irradiation-induced oxidative damage in liver and lung tissue after total body irradiation with a single dose of 6Gy. To achieve the ultimate goal of this study, 40 adult rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 animals each. Group I was injected intraperitoneally with saline solution for 5 consecutive days and served as control group. Group II was irradiated with a single dose of 6Gy. Group III was daily injected with ALC (250 mg kg(-1), i.p.) for 5 consecutive days. Group IV received a daily i.p. injection of ALC (250 mg kg(-1), i.p.) for 5 consecutive days and 1h after the last dose, rats were irradiated with a single dose (6Gy).The animals were sacrified after 24h. Administration of ALC for 5 consecutive days resulted in a significant increase in the activities of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and the level of reduced glutathione (GSH), in lung and liver tissues which were reduced by radiation treatment. Also, ALC resulted in a significant decrease in total nitrate/nitrite (NO(x)) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both lung and liver tissues and a significant decrease in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol, Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) compared to irradiated group. In conclusion, data obtained from this study indicate that ALC could increase the endogenous antioxidant defense mechanism in rat and there by protect the animals from radiation-induced organs toxicity.     

Potential protective effect of melatonin against dibromoacetonitrile-induced oxidative stress in mouse stomach.

Dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN) is a disinfection by-product following chlorination of drinking water. Epidemiological studies indicate that it might present a potential hazard to human health. DBAN was previously found to induce oxidative stress in rat stomach as manifested by perturbation of some enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters. Therefore, we have investigated the oxidative stress possibly induced by DBAN in mouse stomach and possible protection by melatonin (MLT) as a free radical scavenger. In a dose-response study, mice were administered a single oral dose of DBAN (30, 60 and 120 mg kg(-1)) and were sacrificed after 1 h. DBAN significantly reduced glutathione (GSH) content that was somehow dose-related, and inhibited glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in gastric tissues. The highest dose of DBAN (120 mg kg(-1)) lowered GSH by 74% and induced a significant elevation of lipid peroxidation products, determined as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 69%. The same dose inhibited the gastric activities of GST, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by 70, 57 and 23%, respectively. In a time-course study, mice were administered DBAN (60 mg kg(-1) p.o.) and sacrificed 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after treatment. GSH was dramatically depleted at 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 h (45, 38, 39 and 49% of control, respectively) and remained significantly low at 12 and 24 h. Also, DBAN caused an accumulation of TBARS in gastric tissues starting from 3 h and was maximum at 6 h (133% of the control). The enzymatic activities of GST and SOD were maximally inhibited by DBAN treatment at 0.5 h (32% for GST and 37% for SOD of the respective control). The activities of both enzymes returned to control values at 24 h. CAT activity was not affected by DBAN administration at all. Pretreatment of another group of mice with melatonin (10 mg kg(-1) per day p.o. 12 days) before administration of DBAN (60 mg kg(-1) p.o.) completely mitigated the aforementioned parameters. In conclusion, the present study indicates that DBAN induces a marked oxidative stress in mouse stomach as evidenced by GSH depletion, TBARS accumulation and GST, SOD and CAT inhibition. Melatonin could mitigate DBAN-induced oxidative stress in mouse stomach as it did almost normalize both the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant parameters.     

白藜芦醇对焦虑模型小鼠行为的改善及对氧化应激因子的影响

目的：观察白藜芦醇对氧化应激小鼠焦虑样行为的改善作用及对其体内氧化应激因子的影响。方法：将小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组和给药组,给予小鼠L-丁硫氨酸-亚砜亚胺（BSO）造模后分别给予不同剂量白藜芦醇（10,20,40,80 mg·kg^-1）,采用明暗箱行为学实验观察药物对小鼠焦虑样行为的影响,通过检测小鼠杏仁核及海马中氧化应激相关因子SOD及MDA水平,采用Western blot检测小鼠杏仁核以及海马中NADPH氧化酶亚基gp91phox的表达变化来研究白藜芦醇抗焦虑作用与氧化应激的关系。结果：行为学实验结果显示,给予白藜芦醇（80 mg·kg^-1）48 h后能明显改善BSO引起的焦虑样行为,主要表现在明暗箱实验中小鼠穿梭明暗箱次数增多（P<0.05）以及停留在明箱中时间比变大（P<0.01）,给予白藜芦醇（40,80 mg·kg^-1）小鼠杏仁核（P<0.01,P<0.01）及海马中SOD活力明显增加（P<0.05,P<0.01）,此外给予白藜芦醇（40,80 mg·kg^-1）小鼠杏仁核（P<0.01,P<0.01）及海马中（P<0.05,P<0.01）MAD含量明显减少。Western blot实验结果显示给予白藜芦醇（20,40,80 mg·kg^-1）能明显降低BSO引起的杏仁核gp91phox表达增加（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01）,同时给予白藜芦醇（20,40,80 mg·kg^-1）能明显降低海马中gp91phox表达（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01）。结论：白藜芦醇能逆转氧化应激引起的小鼠焦虑样行为,其机制可能和其改善小鼠体内氧化应激能力有关。     

阿霉素诱导小鼠氧化应激性心肌病模型的研究

目的 研究阿霉素不同给药方案诱导小鼠氧化应激性心肌病模型的较优方案.方法 将小鼠随机分为正常组、模型1、2、3组;分别于第1、7、13天ip给予模型1组小鼠5、5、15 mg· kg-1阿霉素,一次性大剂量ip给予模型2组小鼠25 mg·kg-1阿霉素,间隔6d,分别于尾静脉注射给予模型3组小鼠5、10 mg·kg-1阿霉素;于末次给药后48 h测定各组小鼠血浆中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)的活性和丙二醛(MDA)的含量,及心肌组织中的谷胱甘肽(GSH)、巯基的含量和ATP酶系的活性.结果 与正常组相比,3个模型组小鼠血浆中LDH的活性和MDA的含量均明显升高,SOD的活性与心肌组织中GSH的含量均明显降低,模型1组的LDH活性显著高于其他两模型组的;模型1组的CAT、GSH-Px活性与巯基含量较正常组均明显降低,而模型2组和模型3组的与正常组的无显著性差异;模型2、3组心肌组织中ATP酶的活性较正常组的明显降低,降低作用较模型1组的强.结论 模型1的造模方法较模型2、3的方案在对心脏的损伤、体内抗氧化酶系统的影响上更严重;但模型2、3的方案对抗氧化非酶系统及心肌组织ATP酶系的影响较严重.     

Protective role of melatonin against the mercury induced oxidative stress in the rat thyroid

Present study investigated the protective role of melatonin (MLT, 5 mg/kg body wt., ip) against the long term effects of mercuric chloride (MC; 2 and 4 mg/kg body wt., po) in the thyroid gland of the rats through certain antioxidative indices like superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO), other biochemical parameters such as succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), acid phosphatase (ACPase) and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) were also measured. Antioxidative enzymes and other parameters showed a significant reduction while LPO and mercury levels increased significantly in a dose dependent manner in MC treated animals as compared to control groups. Co-treatment with MLT revealed no significant effect on antioxidative and metabolic indices in the thyroid gland of rats. The results of present study thus strongly suggest that mercury affected antioxidant defense system and other metabolic enzymes of thyroid. Co-administration of melatonin exerted a protective effect against mercury induced endocrine toxicity.     

褪黑激素抗氧化作用的研究进展

褪黑激素是松果体分泌的一类激素,对其研究起初主要集中在调节睡眠的作用,但近年发现其具有强大的抗氧化应激作用。实验研究表明,褪黑激素不仅本身具有明显的抗氧化作用,且被氧化后的多级代谢产物亦有强大的抗氧化功能;还具有同时清除氧族和氮族自由基的双重功效及上调多种抗氧化酶活性的功能。目前对于它在缺血再灌注损伤、抗癌、抗退行性变等领域的应用研究取得众多进展。本文主要综述近年来褪黑激素抗氧化机制及其应用的研究进展。     

重组人源性锰超氧化物歧化酶对小鼠紫外线辐射所致氧化应激的保护作用

目的研究重组人源性锰超氧化物歧化酶(rhMn-SOD)对小鼠经A波紫外线(UV-A)辐射所致氧化应激损伤的保护作用。方法60只♂昆明种小鼠随机分为空白对照组、损伤模型组、天然铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(Cu,Zn-SOD)组及3个剂量rhMn-SOD给药组。每天于辐射前1 h给药,辐照时间4 h,连续9 d,d 10处死动物。检测肝、脑匀浆及红细胞(RBC)溶血液的丙二醛(MDA)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)及总超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)。结果UV-A模型组的肝脑匀浆的3个抗氧化指标与空白对照组比较具差异有显著性意义(P<0.01),rhMn-SOD预防性给药组肝脏各指标与UV-A模型组相比差异均有显著性意义(P<0.05),并有剂量依赖性关系,但各组的红细胞指标差异均无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论该UV-A辐射模型主要造成肝、脑氧化损伤,对红细胞无明显影响;rhMn-SOD对肝脏具有较好的保护作用。     

Protection of mitochondrial system by Hippophae rhamnoides L. against radiation-induced oxidative damage in mice

The whole extract of the fresh berries of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (RH-3), which has been reported to provide protection to whole mice, various tissues, cells and cell organelles against lethal irradiation, was further investigated for its effects on mitochondria isolated from mouse liver. Superoxide anion, reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I), NADH-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex I/II), succinate-cytochrome c oxidoreductase (complex II/III), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), lipid peroxidation (LPx) and protein oxidation (PO) were determined for RH-3-mediated radioprotective manifestation. Pre-irradiation treatment of mice with RH-3 (30 mg kg(-1,) i. p.; single dose; -30 min) significantly inhibited the radiation-induced increase in superoxide anions, GSSG, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), complex I, complex I/III activity and MMP maximally at 4 h (P < 0.05). This treatment inhibited the oxidation of proteins (P < 0.05) at all the time periods studied here. This study suggests that pre-irradiation treatment of mice with RH-3 protects the functional integrity of mitochondria from radiation-induced oxidative stress.     

Neuroprotective role of melatonin in oxidative stress vulnerable brain

The brain is deficient in oxidative defense mechanisms and hence is at greater risk of damage mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting in molecular and cellular dysfunction. Emerging evidence suggesting the activation of glutamate gated cation channels, may be another source of oxidative stress, leading to neuronal degeneration. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epileptic seizures, and stroke. Melatonin, the pineal hormone, acts as a direct free radical scavenger and indirect antioxidant. It is suggested that the increase in neurodegenerative diseases is attributable to a decrease in the levels of melatonin with age. Melatonin has been shown to either stimulate gene expression for the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase) or to increase their activity. Additionally, it neutralizes hydoxyl radical, superoxide radical, peroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion, singlet oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and hypochlorous acid. Unlike other antioxidants, melatonin can easily cross all morphophysiological barriers, e.g., the blood brain barrier, and enters cells and subcellular compartments. Though evidence are accumulating to suggest the potential of melatonin in neurodegenerative conditions, much information needs to be generated before the drug can find place in neurology clinics.     

Protective effect of aqueous garlic extract against naphthalene-induced oxidative stress in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) against naphthalene-induced oxidative changes in liver, kidney, lung and brain of mice. Balb/c mice (25-30 g) of either sex were divided into five groups each comprising 10 animals. Mice received for 30 days: 0.9% NaCl, i.p. (control); corn oil, i.p; AGE in a dose of 125 mg kg-1, i.p.; naphthalene in a dose of 100 mg kg-1, i.p. (dissolved in corn oil); and AGE (in a dose of 125 mg kg-1, i.p.) plus naphthalene (in a dose of 100 mg kg-1, i.p.). After decapitation, liver, kidney, lung and brain tissues were excised. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were determined in the tissues, while oxidant-induced tissue fibrosis was determined by collagen content. Tissues were also examined microscopically. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase levels and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were measured for the evaluation of hepatic and renal function, respectively. MDA and GSH levels were also assayed in serum samples. In the naphthalene-treated group, GSH levels decreased significantly, while MDA levels, MPO activity and collagen content increased in the tissues (P<0.01-0.001), suggesting oxidative organ damage, which was also verified histologically. In the AGE-treated naphthalene group, all of these oxidant responses were reversed significantly (P<0.05-0.01). Hepatic and renal function test parameters, which increased significantly (P<0.001) following naphthalene administration, decreased (P<0.05-0.001) after AGE treatment. The results demonstrate the role of oxidative mechanisms in naphthalene-induced tissue damage. The antioxidant properties of AGE ameliorated oxidative organ injury due to naphthalene toxicity.     

Prophylactic effect of N-acetylcysteine against sodium fluoride-induced blood oxidative stress in mice

Ninety female Balb/c mice were used. The animals were allocated to evenly six groups. While the first group was maintained as control, Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 were administered 750 ppm, 1500 ppm, 3000 ppm, and 6000 ppm of N-acetylcysteine, respectively, for a period of 15 days. After day 15, Groups 2–6 were administered sodium fluoride, containing 100 ppm fluoride in drinking water, for another 15 days. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and erythrocyte superoksid dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined at the beginning of the trial and on days 15 and 30. According to the data obtained in the present study, N-acetylcysteine, when administered at the indicated doses, did not produce a significant alteration in any of the three parameters investigated. On the other hand, while the plasma MDA level was determined to have increased significantly, erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities were ascertained to have decreased significantly in the group, which was administered sodium fluoride alone on day 30. In the groups, which were administered N-acetylcysteine prior to sodium fluoride, however, it was observed that, after sodium fluoride administration, plasma MDA levels and erythrocyte SOD and CAT activities drew closer to the values of the control group.     

Role of melatonin in reducing hypoxia-induced oxidative stress and morphological changes in the liver of male mice

Oxygen deficiency during critical illness may cause profound changes in cellular metabolism and subsequent tissue and organ dysfunction. Thus, the present study was designed to determine the effects of hypoxia and reoxygenation on the levels of lipid peroxidation and the morphological changes in the liver of male mice as well as the protective role of melatonin as an antioxidant. Two experiments were carried out in this study. Experiment I includes three groups of mice (control, hypoxic, and hypoxic + melatonin) while the experiment II includes two groups (reoxygenated and reoxygenated + melatonin). The levels of oxidized lipids were measured and the morphological changes were investigated using light and electron microscopy. In experiment I, hypoxia strongly stimulated lipid peroxidation levels (88%) while melatonin administration inhibited this increase (69%). Severe morphological changes (necrosis, dilated congested blood vessels, collection of inflammatory cells, condensed heterochromatic with irregular outlines nuclei, and mitochondrial degeneration) were detected in the liver of hypoxic mice. In experiment II, reoxygenation inhibited the levels of oxidized lipids (42%) versus hypoxic mice and some morphological changes were detected. When melatonin was given before reoxygenation, it inhibited the levels of lipid peroxidation by 66% versus hypoxic mice. Also, melatonin enhanced the recovery profile by 41% when compared with mice that reoxygenated with room air only. All morphological alterations that detected in both hypoxic and reoxygenated mice were repaired when melatonin administered. These results indicate that hypoxia and reoxygenation induce severe alterations in the liver and that melatonin exerts beneficial role in restoring tissue alterations after subjection to hypoxia.     

Possible beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on arsenic-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats

The effects of melatonin on arsenic-induced changes on cellular antioxidant system were studied in male rats of the Wistar strain. Arsenic treatment (i.p. as sodium arsenite) was done at a dose of 5.55 mg/kg body weight (equivalent to 35% of LD50) per day for a period of 30 days, while melatonin supplementation (i.p.) was performed at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight per day for the last 5 days prior to sacrifice. Melatonin supplementation reversed the arsenic-mediated changes in reduced glutathione (GSH) level and lipid peroxidation in liver and kidney. Arsenic-induced decreased glutathione reductase activity in liver and increased activity in kidney was appreciably counteracted by melatonin. Melatonin also inhibited arsenic-induced free hydroxyl radical production in the tissues. The decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and kidney and that of catalase in liver due to arsenic treatment were also counteracted by melatonin. It is suggested that melatonin acts as a protective agent against arsenic-induced cellular oxidative stress.     

褪黑素对四氯化碳小鼠肝损伤的保护作用

目的　探讨褪黑素对四氯化碳肝毒性的保护作用。方法　给予小鼠四氯化碳（５ ｍｌ·ｋｇ － １ ） ,继后每隔６ ｈ ｉｐ 褪黑素１０ ｍ ｇ·ｋｇ － １ 。用胶原酶消化法分离小鼠肝细胞后,依次加用褪黑素（１０ － ５ ～１０ － １ １ ｍｏｌ· Ｌ－ １ ） 和四氯化碳（２０ ｍ ｍ ｏｌ· Ｌ－ １ ） 。以测定丙氨酸氨基转换酶（ Ａ Ｌ Ｔ） ,丙二醛（ Ｍ Ｄ Ａ） 和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活力,作为四氯化碳肝损伤的指标。用 Ｍ Ｔ Ｔ 法检测肝细胞活力。结果　四氯化碳可使小鼠血液 Ａ Ｌ Ｔ 活性和肝 Ｍ Ｄ Ａ 含量明显上升。体内应用 Ｍ Ｔ １０ ｍ ｇ·ｋｇ － １ ,则明显降低肝匀浆 Ｍ Ｄ Ａ 含量（ Ｐ＜ ００１） , 对血浆 Ａ Ｌ Ｔ 活性无明显影响。体外应用 Ｍ Ｔ（１０ － ５ ～１０ － ７ ｍｏｌ· Ｌ－ １ ） 亦可使肝细胞 Ｍ Ｄ Ａ 含量下降（ Ｐ＜ ００５） ,同时还可使肝细胞 Ａ Ｌ Ｔ 释放率下降,细胞活力上升（ Ｐ＜ ００５） 。结论　 Ｍ Ｔ 拮抗 Ｃ Ｃｌ４ 肝毒性的作用可能与其抗氧化能力有关     

四烯甲萘醌保护成骨细胞氧化损伤的作用研究

目的 考察四烯甲萘醌(MK₄)对成骨细胞氧化损伤的保护作用,阐明MK₄防治骨质疏松作用机制。方法 采用过氧化氢(H₂O₂)刺激小鼠成骨细胞系（MC3T3-E1）氧化应激模型,考察细胞活力、ALP活性和骨结节面积,DCFH-DA法检测活性氧(ROS)水平,JC-1检测线粒体膜电势,Annexin V-FITC/PI法检测细胞凋亡率,RT-PCR法考察氧化应激相关基因FoxO1、FoxO3、SOD、Bcl-2和bax等的mRNA表达。结果 10 μmol/L四烯甲萘醌能显著提高H₂O₂刺激的成骨细胞增殖、ALP活性、骨结节形成面积和增强细胞膜电势,显著降低H₂O₂刺激的成骨细胞内丙二醛和活性氧水平,同时显著降低成骨细胞凋亡率和细胞凋亡因子bax/Bcl-2的mRNA表达水平,显著提高抗氧化酶SOD和转录因子FoxO1、FoxO3的mRNA表达。结论 四烯甲萘醌可通过调控FoxO通路保护成骨细胞氧化损伤和通过下调bax/Bcl-2比例,降低成骨细胞凋亡。     

Protective role of germanium-132 against paraquat-induced oxidative stress in the livers of senescence-accelerated mice

The effects of the synthetic antioxidant germanium (Ge-132) were studied on liver oxidant damage induced by paraquat (PQ) in senescence-accelerated mice (SAM). PQ administered intravenously to SAM-P/8 (susceptible) or SAM-R/1 (resistant) mice increased liver DNA strand breakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicators of oxidant damage. Ge-132 effectively blocked the PQ-induced effects on liver DNA strand breaks and MDA levels. In addition, Ge-132 significantly elevated the activities of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase following PQ pretreatment. Histopathologically, Ge-132 inhibited PQ-induced hepatic mitochondrial injury in both strains, but more effectively in the susceptible strain. Data suggest that Ge-132 may be useful as an antioxidant in view of its ability to prevent PQ-induced hepatic oxidant injury.     

Protective role of melatonin in cyclosporine A-induced oxidative stress in rat liver

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the most widely used immunosuppressive drug for preventing graft rejection and autoimmune disease. However, the therapeutic treatment induces several side effects such as nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, hypertension and hepatotoxicity. Among possible mechanisms of CsA-induced hepatic damage, oxidative stress has been suggested. Melatonin (Mel) has been successfully used as a potent antioxidant against many pathophysiological states. This experimental study was performed to test, during CsA treatment, the alterations of some heat shock proteins (HSP) and the Mel antioxidant properties against CsA-induced injury. Rats were divided into four groups, which were treated respectively with olive oil, Mel alone, CsA and CsA plus Mel for 30 days. At the end of the treatments, the animals were killed and hepatic tissue was treated for morphological (haematoxylin-eosin), biochemical (reduced glutathione, GSH and malondialdehyde, MDA) and immunohistochemical (HSP60, HSP72, GRP75 and MT) analyses. The results indicate that CsA-induced hepatotoxicity was characterised by morphological alterations in tissue architecture, changes in GSH and MDA levels and increase in stress protein expression. In conclusion, our data suggest that the imbalance between production of free oxygen radicals and antioxidant defence systems, due to CsA administration, is a mechanism responsible for oxidative stress. Moreover, we show that Mel plays a protective action against CsA-induced oxidative stress, as supported by biochemical and immunohistochemical results.     

Efficacy of catalpol as protectant against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction on rotenone-induced toxicity in mice brain

Rotenone, a specific inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, reproduces many features of Parkinson's disease. The aim of the study was carried out to investigate how rotenone affected the mitochondrial function and antioxidant/oxidant parameters of mouse striatum, and secondly, to evaluate the ameliorating effects of catalpol against rotenone-induced damage. Our results showed that rotenone induced significant changes in mitochondrial function such as complex I activity and mitochondrial membrane potential decreased, and enhanced antioxidant status as glutathione depletion, enzymatic (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) disorders, and increased lipid peroxidation. Catalpol increased complex I, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, reduced lipid peroxidation and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential in rotenone-treated mice. These in vivo data indicated that catalpol might have protection against deleterious mouse damage caused by rotenone.