THE INFLUENCE OF MELATONIN ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE MAIN ENZYMES OF ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION IN THE HEART OF RATS WITH DEXAMETHASONE DIABETES

Abstract

The goal of this study was to find out the influence of melatonin on the content of TBCreactive products; on the activity of the main antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) in the heart of rats with dexamethasone diabetes. Materials and Methods. The experimental study was carried out on thirty male eighteen-month-old non-linear white rats. The experimental animals were divided into three groups: 1) control (intact animals); 2) rats with diabetes; 3) rats to which, in addition to dexamethasone, melatonin in a dose of 10 mg per kg of body weight was administered intragastrically daily through a metal probe during the 13 days of experiment. Results. In the heart of rats with dexamethasone diabetes, the content of TBC-reactive products increases by 43% compared with control rats, which indicates an increase in the processes of free radical oxidation of lipids. At the same time, in the heart of diabetic rats, a decrease in the activity of the studied enzymes is noted: superoxide dismutase – by 28%, catalase – by 25%, and glutathione peroxidase – by 31%, respectively, compared with control rats. In the heart of rats, which, in addition to dexamethasone injections, received melatonin, the studied indicators did not differ reliably from the indicators of the control group of animals. Conclusions. The use of melatonin stopped the processes of free radical oxidation of lipids and restored the activity of the investigated enzymes of antioxidant protection in the heart of rats.