Melatonin Protects the Heart, Lungs and Kidneys from Oxidative Stress under Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia in Rats

Abstract

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is the main secretory product of the pineal gland in all mammals including humans, but it is also produced in other organs. It has been previously demonstrated to be a powerful organ-protective substance under oxidative stress conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of melatonin in several organs such as heart, lung, kidney, and of the reproductive system, such as testis and epididymis in animals exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia and therefore exposed to oxidative stress and analyzed by lipid peroxidation. Ten-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups for 96 hours during 32 days under: 1) Normobaric conditions, 2) plus physiologic solution, 3) plus melatonin, 4) intermittent hypobaric hypoxia, 5 plus physiologic solution and 6) plus melatonin. The animals were injected with melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight) at an interval of 96 hours during 32 days. Results indicated that melatonin decreased lipid peroxidation in heart, kidneys and lung under intermittent hypobaric hypoxia conditions. However, it did not exhibit any protective effect in liver, testis, epididymis and sperm count.

Pharmacological approaches in either intermittent or permanent hypoxia: A tale of two exposures

“…Further, it have been also described that melatonin, another recognized endogenous antioxidant, counteracted the damage of the testis and spermatogenesis in rats subjected to ICH [53]. However, results of our group showed that melatonin had no protective effect in testis and epididymis damaged, despite its amphiphilic nature, and its action of ROS scavenger [54,55].…”

Male reproductive system and antioxidants in oxidative stress induced by hypobaric hypoxia

“…It have been also described that melatonin (10 mg kg À1 body weight) counteracted the testis and spermatogenesis damage in rats subjected to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (Hartley et al, 2009;Bustos-Obregon et al, 2010). However, our results showed that melatonin had no protective effect in testis and epididymis damaged (Farias et al, 2012). Melatonin has been shown to exert a protective effect against lipid peroxidation under oxidative stress (Serel et al, 2004).…”

“…These findings support the assumption that melatonin may adversely affect sperm quality. The protective oxidative damage of melatonin under an intermittent hypobaric hypoxia is organ-dependent and had no protective effect in testis and epididymis damage (Farias et al, 2012).…”

The Beneficial Effects of Agomelatine in Experimental Model of Sepsis Related Acute Kidney Injury

“…[14] In addition, reports have indicated protective effects of melatonin on renal functions. [17][18][19] However, exact pathophysiology of sepsisrelated AKI remains unclear and, in spite of new treatment options, AKI continues to occur with high mortality. [20] The aim of the present study was to research effects of agomelatine, a melatonin analogue, on sepsis-induced AKI.…”