Cerebral Epiphyseal Proteins and Melatonin Modulate the Hepatic and Renal Antioxidant Defense of Rats

S. R. Pandi-Perumal,Gregory M. Brown,P. Subramaian,D. Warren Spence,R. S. Srivastava,Vijay K. Bharti

doi:10.4061/2011/142896

Abstract

The cerebral epiphysis (pineal gland) secrets melatonin and number of other proteins and peptides. It was thus hypothesized that antioxidant properties of epiphyseal proteins and melatonin could potentially benefit from exogenous therapies. In view of the therapeutic potential of these proteins, the present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of buffalo epiphyseal proteins (BEP, at 100 μg/kg BW, i.p.) and melatonin (MEL, at 10 mg/kg BW, i.p) on changes in hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes of adult female Wistar rats. Buffalo epiphyseal proteins significantly (P < .05) increased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), and renal LPO, catalase (CAT), GR, GSH, GPx levels as compared to control animals. Similarly, MEL treatment significantly (P < .05) up-regulated hepatic SOD and GPx activity, whereas CAT, GR, GPx, and GSH levels in renal tissues were increased while SOD and LPO remained unaffected. Buffalo epiphyseal protein treatment produced greater effects on hepatic GPx and renal CAT and GSH levels than did MEL. These findings support the conclusion that buffalo epiphyseal proteins and melatonin activate a number of antioxidant mechanisms in hepatic and renal tissues.

Highlights

The cerebral epiphysis is broadly involved in the synchronization of bodily functions(s) with the environment and serves as a “regulator of regulators”
We reported on the antioxidant action of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) epiphyseal proteins (BEPs) under fluoride and arsenic-induced oxidative stress in blood, brain, and kidney [2,3,4,5,6, 18,19,20]
No effects were observed on CAT activity in hepatic of Buffalo epiphyseal proteins (BEPs)- and MEL-treated groups

Summary

Introduction

The cerebral epiphysis (pineal gland) is broadly involved in the synchronization of bodily functions(s) with the environment and serves as a “regulator of regulators”. The cerebral epiphysis, through its production of MEL and its effect on serotonin, affects many neuroendocrine functions [1]. A number of studies reported that epiphyseal proteins have the ability to regulate various physiological functions in numerous animals and hypothesized that these proteins effectively acted as epiphyseal hormones [3,4,5,6,7]. In spite of these studies, the functional role of epiphyseal hormones and proteins in antioxidant defense system of vital organs remains poorly understood.

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Results

Conclusion