Effects of melatonin on some antioxidant enzymes and MDA in brain of global ischemic gerbils / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

AIM To investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on glutathione peroxidase(GPx), superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the cerebrum of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion gerbils, so as to explore the protective mechanisms of MT. METHODS Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was made by 10 min occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries of gerbil. MT was administered intraperitoneally 30 min prior to the onset of ischemia. After 1 h reperfusion, bilateral cortex and striatum were taken out for measurement of GPx, SOD and MDA. RESULTS Ischemia-reperfusion lowered the activities of GPx and SOD in cerebral cortex and striatum. Conversely, it elevated the contents of MDA in both areas. Treatment with MT at 5, 10, or 20 mg?kg -1 partly reversed these effects. CONCLUSION MT provides protective effect against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by protecting GPx and SOD activities and reducing the lipid peroxidation.