Protective effect of melatonin on neural cells against the cytotoxicity of oxyradicals.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the exact mechanism of melatonin to prohibit the apoptosis of neural cells induced by various kinds of cytotoxic agents.


METHODS
We used the methods of phase contrast microscopy, MTT assay and hoechst dye staining to check this mechanism in SKNSH and U251 cell lines.


RESULTS
Both 2 mmol/L H2O2 and 0.5 micromol/L amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) induce these two cell lines die via apoptosis. Either melatonin or glutathione can significantly protect both cell lines. The protective effect of 10 micromol/L melatonin is as same as that of 60 micromol/L glutathione.


CONCLUSIONS
Melatonin can partly inhibit the cytotoxicity of H2O2 and Abeta through its role as a free radical scavenger.
An
Y
Y
Department of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001.
Liu
E
E
Liu
X
X
Yang
F
F
Han
F
F
Dai
Q
Q
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000633:toxicity*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin