Melatonin prevents oxidative damage to protein and lipid induced by ascorbate-Fe(3+)-EDTA: Comparison with glutathione and alpha-tocopherol.

OBJECTIVES: The ability of melatonin to protect protein and lipid against oxidative damage induced by an ascorbate-Fe(3+)-EDTA (AFE) system which generates the hydroxyl radical was investigated using bovine serum albumin (BSA) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes, respectively, and compared with the protective effects of reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol. The comparison study was also performed using PC liposomes containing BSA. METHODS: BSA, PC liposomes or their mixtures were exposed to the HO.