Introduction. The experimental model of alloxane diabetes is quite common, which is often used to study the different aspects of pathogenesis and pathomorphology of diabetes. It is known that during the diabetes activation of free radical oxidation of biomolecules occurs as well as depletion of the antioxidant system. Melatonin can suppress reactive oxygen species and increases the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
The aim of the study – to investigate the effect of melatonin on oxidant and antioxidant status in the blood of alloxan diabetic rats.
Research Methods. Experiments were conducted on white outbred sexually mature male rats. In the blood plasma was determined content of oxidatively modified proteins, the ceruloplasmin activity; in the hemolisate of erythrocytes was determined content of TBA-reactive products, the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities.
Results and Discussion. The results of our studies showed that under conditions of alloxane diabetes, processes of free radical damage to biomolecules are intensified, as evidenced by the increase in the content of TBA-active products and oxidatively modified proteins in the blood of rats on 7 and 14 days of alloxane diabetes. The activity of catalase and ceruloplasmin in the blood of alloxan diabetic rats was lower than in the control group of animals but the SOD activity was significantly increased. The positive effect of melatonin is shown on 7 and 14 days and decrease the content of TBA-active products and oxidatively modified proteins blood of rats compared with untreated animals. Also, the administration of melatonin contributed to the normalization of the activity antioxidant enzymes of blood in rats with alloxane diabetes: increase of catalase activity in erythrocytes, ceruloplasmin activity and decrease SOD activity compared with untreated animals.
Conclusions. The introduction of exogenous melatonin in rats with alloxane diabetes in a dose of 10 mg/kg daily for 7 and 14 days cause a pronounced antioxidant effect, reducing free radical oxidation and normalizing the activity of enzymes of antioxidant defense in the blood alloxan diabetic rats.
Age-associated, oxidatively modified proteins: A critical evaluation
