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Effect of melatonin administration on parameters related to oxidative damage in hepatocytes isolated from old Wistar rats
Author(s) -
Castillo Carmen,
Salazar Veronica,
Ariznavarreta Carmen,
Vara Elena,
Tresguerres Jesus A. F.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1111/j.1600-079x.2004.00199.x
Subject(s) - melatonin , medicine , endocrinology , lipid peroxidation , nitric oxide , oxidative stress , chemistry , oral administration , oxidative phosphorylation , antioxidant , biology , biochemistry
Aging induces changes in several organs and tissues, such as the liver, and this process might be due to oxidative damage caused by free radicals and inflammatory mediators. Melatonin is a secretory product with well‐known antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin administration on age‐induced alterations in hepatocytes. Twenty‐two‐month old male Wistar rats were treated with oral melatonin for 10 wk. At the end of the treatment, hepatocytes were isolated and cultured, and different parameters were measured in both cells and medium. Aging induced a significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and cyclic guanosyl‐monophosphate, as well as a reduction in adenosine triphosphate content and phosphatidylcholine synthesis when compared to young animals. Melatonin administration significantly ameliorated all these age‐related changes in males. Melatonin administration seems to exert beneficial effects against age‐induced changes in hepatocytes.