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Melatonin controls oxidative stress and modulates iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels in adriamycin treated rats
Azza I Othman1, Mohammed A El-Missiry, Maher A Amer
1Zoology Department, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
Aim:
Chemotherapy with adriamycin (ADR) is limited by its iron-mediated pro-oxidant toxicity. Because melatonin (MLT) is a broad spectrum antioxidant, we investigated the ability of MLT to control iron, its binding proteins, and the oxidative damage induced by ADR.
Main Methods:
ADR was given as single i.p. dose of 10 mg kg(-1) body weight into male rats. MLT at a dose of 15 mg kg(-1) was injected daily for 5 days before ADR treatment followed by another injection for 5 days. Biochemical methods were used for this investigation.
Key Findings:
ADR injection caused elevations in plasma creatine kinase isoenzyme, lactic dehydrogenase, and aminotransferases, iron, ferritin, and transferrin. These changes were associated with increases in lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation as well as decreases in glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, while glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) activity were elevated in the heart and liver of ADR treated rats. In the MLT+ADR group, the cardiac and hepatic function parameters and the levels of iron, transferrin and ferritin in plasma were normalized to control levels. The rats that were subjected to MLT+ADR had normalized CAT and GSH-Px activity and decreased TBARS and protein carbonyl levels compared the group only treated with ADR. GST activity and GSH concentration in the heart and liver were normalized when MLT accompanied ADR treatment.
Significance:
MLT ameliorated oxidative stress by controlling iron, and binding protein levels in ADR treated rats demonstrating the usefulness of adriamycin in cancer chemotherapy and allowing a better management of iron levels.
Insights
Melatonin (MLT) controls iron levels and reduces oxidative stress caused by adriamycin (ADR) chemotherapy. This study shows MLT can mitigate ADR
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Adriamycin (ADR) chemotherapy is limited by iron-mediated pro-oxidant toxicity.
- Melatonin (MLT) is a potent antioxidant with potential to counteract ADR-induced damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate MLT's ability to control iron, its binding proteins, and oxidative damage induced by ADR.
- To evaluate MLT's protective effects against ADR toxicity in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Male rats received a single intraperitoneal dose of ADR (10 mg/kg).
- MLT (15 mg/kg) was administered daily for 5 days before and 5 days after ADR treatment.
- Biochemical methods were employed to assess oxidative stress markers, enzyme activities, and iron levels.
Main Results:
- ADR treatment increased plasma enzymes, iron, ferritin, transferrin, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation, while decreasing glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity.
- MLT co-administration normalized cardiac and hepatic function, plasma iron parameters, and antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GSH-Px).
- MLT treatment reduced TBARS and protein carbonyl levels, and restored GSH and GST levels in ADR-treated rats.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin (MLT) effectively ameliorates adriamycin (ADR)-induced oxidative stress by managing iron and binding protein levels.
- MLT demonstrates significant protective effects, highlighting its potential role in managing ADR chemotherapy toxicity.
- Controlling iron levels with MLT can improve the safety and efficacy of adriamycin in cancer treatment.