Melatonin Preserves Fluidity in Cell and Mitochondrial Membranes against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion.

We evaluated the in vivo effects of melatonin treatment on oxidative damage in the liver in an experimental model of ischemia-reperfusion. A total of 37 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, ischemia, ischemia + reperfusion, and ischemia + reperfusion + melatonin. Hepatic ischemia was maintained for 20 min, and the clamp was removed to initiate vascular reperfusion for 30 min.

Interstitial Cells of Cajal and Enteric Nervous System in Gastrointestinal and Neurological Pathology, Relation to Oxidative Stress.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is organized into two plexuses-submucosal and myenteric-which regulate smooth muscle contraction, secretion, and blood flow along the gastrointestinal tract under the influence of the rest of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are mainly located in the submucosa between the two muscle layers and at the intramuscular level. They communicate with neurons of the enteric nerve plexuses and smooth muscle fibers and generate slow waves that contribute to the control of gastrointestinal motility.

Role of Oxidative Stress on the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Its Relation with the Enteric Nervous System.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, cerebral cortex, and medulla oblongata. Most patients present a clinical phenotype of classic ALS-with predominant atrophy, muscle weakness, and fasciculations-and survival of 3 to 5 years following diagnosis. In the present review, we performed a literature search to provide an update on the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ALS.

Melatonin's role in preventing toxin-related and sepsis-mediated hepatic damage: A review.

The liver is a central organ in detoxifying molecules and would otherwise cause molecular damage throughout the organism. Numerous toxic agents including aflatoxin, heavy metals, nicotine, carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide, and toxins derived during septic processes, generate reactive oxygen species followed by molecular damage to lipids, proteins and DNA, which culminates in hepatic cell death. As a result, the identification of protective agents capable of ameliorating the damage at the cellular level is an urgent need.

Melatonin reduces lipid and protein oxidative damage in synaptosomes due to aluminium.

Prolonged exposure to excessive aluminium (Al) concentrations is involved in the ethiopathology of certain dementias and neurological disorders. Melatonin is a well-known antioxidant that efficiently reduces lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress. Herein, we investigated in synaptosomal membranes the effect of melatonin in preventing Al promotion of lipid and protein oxidation when the metal was combined with FeCl(3) and ascorbic acid.