Protective effect of melatonin on mitochondria in diabetic rats / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of melatonin on mitochondria in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and its potential mechanism. Methods The diabetic rat models were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ, and the diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups diabetes mellitus group (DM group) and melatonin-treated group (DM± MT group). The normal non-diabetic rats were served as control group. Mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial swelling were measured, the expression of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC)was assayed by immunohistochemistry in the heart, liver and kidney among the different groups after 8 weeks. Results (1)Compared with DM group, mitochondrial membrane potential in the heart,liver and kidney were significantly elevated in DM± MT group (553.6± 193.5 vs. 311.4 ± 133.7;745.7±115.8 vs. 358.9±158.7; 951.6±246.1 vs. 425.8±177.9, all P＜0.05). (2)Compared with DM group, mitochondrial swelling in the heart, liver and kidney was reinforced in DM ± MT group. (3)Compared with DM group, the expressions of VDAC in the heart, liver and kidney were significantly up-regulated in DM± MT group (76.93 ± 8.263 vs. 58.59 ± 7.62, 50.69 ± 6.33 vs.40.11±6.30, 77.86±8.59 vs. 61.44± 12.86, all P＜0.05). Conclusions Melatonin has protective effect on the activity of mitochondria in the heart, liver and kidney in diabetic rats possibly by up-regulating the expression of VDAC.