ABSTRACT
The antioxidant potential of melatonin (MLT) on hyperammonemia (induced by ammonium acetate treatment) were studied in rats. The levels of circulatory ammonia, urea and non-protein nitrogen increased significantly in ammonium acetate treated rats and decreased significantly in rats treated with melatonin and ammonium acetate. In brain tissues, the same pattern of alterations across groups was observed in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and lipid profile variables (free fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and cholesterol). Further, enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and non-enzymatic (reduced glutathione) antioxidants in brain tissues decreased significantly in ammonium acetate treated rats and increased significantly in rats treated with melatonin and ammonium acetate. These biochemical alterations could be due to the ability of melatonin to (i) scavenge a variety of radicals and reactive oxygen species (ii) induce antioxidative enzymes which reduce steady state levels of reactive oxygen species and (iii) stabilize cell membranes which assist them in reducing oxidative damage and thus could prevent oxidative stress in rats.
Subject(s)
Acetates/pharmacology , Antioxidants/metabolism , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Melatonin/pharmacology , Animals , Brain Chemistry/drug effects , Catalase/metabolism , Glutathione/metabolism , Lipids/chemistry , Male , Oxidation-Reduction , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism , Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances , Urea/chemistrySubject(s)
Advance Directives , Euthanasia, Passive , Right to Die , Humans , Male , Medical Staff, Hospital , Withholding TreatmentABSTRACT
Equipment and techniques employed in an airborne far ir (80-400 micro) spectral measurement of the solar brightness temperature are described, with particular attention paid to the scanning Michelson interferometer and the radiometric calibration. The airborne performance of several telescopic guiding systems, a liquid helium cooled bolometer, and golay cells are discussed, summarizing experience gained on twenty-five jet aircraft flights.
