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Melatonin supplementation over different time periods until ageing modulates genotoxic parameters in mice
Adriani Paganini Damiani1, Giulia Strapazzon1, Thanielly Thais de Oliveira Sardinha1
1Translational Biomedicine Laboratory, Graduate Programme of Health Sciences, Health Sciences Unit, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
Mutagenesis
|July 29, 2020
Summary
Melatonin supplementation extended lifespan and reduced DNA damage in aging mice. This antioxidant demonstrates antigenotoxic and antimutagenic effects, supporting genetic and physiological health during aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Aging is characterized by declining physiological functions and increased disease susceptibility.
- Melatonin, a potent antioxidant, decreases with age, prompting investigation into its potential benefits.
- Reduced melatonin levels are linked to age-related cellular dysfunction and disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic melatonin consumption on genotoxicity and mutagenicity in aged Swiss mice.
- To assess melatonin's effects on DNA damage and repair mechanisms during the aging process.
- To determine if the age of melatonin supplementation initiation influences its efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Swiss albino male mice (n=240) were divided into natural aging and melatonin supplementation groups.
- Supplementation regimens varied in initiation age (3, 6, 12, 18 months) until 21 months of age.
- Genomic instability was assessed using comet assay, micronucleus test, and western blot for DNA repair enzymes (APE1, OGG1).
Main Results:
- Melatonin administration significantly prolonged the lifespan of the mice.
- Melatonin exhibited antigenotoxic and antimutagenic properties, reducing age-related DNA damage.
- Mice receiving melatonin for 18 months showed elevated levels of DNA repair enzymes APE1 and OGG1.
Conclusions:
- Chronic melatonin consumption effectively mitigates genotoxic and mutagenic effects associated with aging.
- Melatonin's antioxidant activity plays a crucial role in modulating age-related genetic and physiological alterations.
- Supplementation timing did not impede melatonin's beneficial effects on genomic stability.
