Molecular mechanisms of aging: role of free radicals and melatonin

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 40 healthy volunteer men in order to find out the relationship between the pineal hormone melatonin, free radicals and age. They were classified according to their ages into two groups, group I comprised 20 men with an age ranging between 41-60 years and group II comprised 20 men with an age ranging between 61-78 years. Morning and evening blood samples were taken from each subject, then melatonin was administered orally in 3 mg single daily dose taken in the evening for six weeks, after which morning blood samples were taken. Serum was separated and analyzed for melatonin and free radicals levels. The results revealed that there was a highly significant decrease in serum melatonin levels in the older age group in comparison with the younger age, while free radicals showed an increase in the older age group compared with the younger age group