title: Effect of melatonin and vitamin C on expression of endothelial NOS in heart of chronic alcoholic rats.
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and vitamin C on expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in heart tissue of chronic alcoholic rats. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used in this study. Rats were divided into four groups. The first group served as control (n = 6). The second group was treated with ethanol (%7.2) for 28 days (n = 6), which was administered in artificial isocaloric diets. The third group was given ethanol and supplemented with 40 mg/kg vitamin C [intraperitoneally (i.p.)] (n = 6). The fourth group was given ethanol and supplemented with 4 mg/kg melatonin (i.p.) (n = 6). At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed and heart tissues were processed for immunohistochemistry analysis to endothelial NOS (eNOS). eNOS immunoreactivity showed heterogeneous distribution in control group. eNOS immunoreactivity was (+) in some myocytes and (++) in some others. Expression of eNOS in alcohol group was heterogeneous like control group but also stronger than that. Immunoreactivity was (+++) in myocytes near the epicardial zone and (++) in myocytes near the endocardium border. In melatonin and vitamin C-treated groups, eNOS immunoreactivity was diffuse and the intensity of reaction was (+++) in subepicardial region. However, eNOS immunoreactivity scores were weaker in these groups when compared with the alcohol group. Our results indicate that alleviation of oxidative stress by antioxidant therapy reduces reactive oxygen species-mediated nitric oxide inactivation.
authors: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. drmfatihsonmez@hotmail.com
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Sönmez
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Narin
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Akkuş
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ozdamar
mesh_terms: D020751:Alcohol-Induced Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000633:toxicity; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000431:Ethanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat; D008550:Melatonin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid