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Protective effect of melatonin against the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium‐induced inhibition of Complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain
Author(s) -
Absi Elhadi,
Ayala Antonio,
Machado Alberto,
Parrado Juan
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of pineal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1600-079X
pISSN - 0742-3098
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-079x.2000.290106.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , mitochondrial respiratory chain , respiratory system , mitochondrion , respiratory chain , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , pharmacology , biology , biochemistry
In the present study, a novel property of melatonin is shown: a protective effect of melatonin on the respiratory chain in isolated rat liver mitochondria and in striatal synaptosomes treated with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium ion (MPP + ). The cellular damage caused by MPP + , a compound that produces a Parkinsonian‐like syndrome in humans, is the result of the mitochondrial respiration inhibition at the Complex I level and oxidative stress induction. Treatment of mitochondria with MPP + inhibits the respiration rate. This effect was prevented by the inclusion of melatonin in the incubation mixture. This preventive effect, which is not related to the antioxidative properties of melatonin, seems to be due to the fact that melatonin prevents MPP + interaction with Complex I. These results suggest that melatonin may protect against the effect of several Parkinsonogenic compounds that are associated with progressive impairment of mitochondrial function and increased oxidative damage.