Premium
Melatonin protects against copper‐mediated free radical damage
Author(s) -
Parmar Paresh,
Limson Janice,
Nyokong Tebello,
Daya Santy
Publication year - 2002
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.2002.01859.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , copper , lipid peroxidation , copper toxicity , chemistry , pineal gland , melatonin receptor , in vivo , in vitro , endocrinology , biochemistry , medicine , antioxidant , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , organic chemistry
Copper is an essential trace element which forms an integral component of many enzymes. While trace amounts of copper are needed to sustain life, excess copper is extremely toxic. Copper has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as Wilson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Previous studies showed that melatonin, the principle secretory product of the pineal gland, binds Cupric chloride (Cu 2+ ) and that this may have implications in copper‐induced neurodegenerative diseases. In the present study, in vitro copper‐mediated lipid peroxidation was induced. Melatonin (5 m M ) protected against copper‐mediated lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates. Electron micrographs of in vivo administered Cu 2+ and melatonin show that melatonin affords some protection to rat hepatocytes in the presence of copper. Electrochemical studies performed show that melatonin, in addition to binding Cu 2+ , may provide protection against copper‐mediated free radical damage by binding Cu 1+ . The findings of these studies provide further evidence for the neuroprotective role of melatonin.