title: Melatonin ameliorates oxidative damage induced by maternal lead exposure in rat pups.
abstract: During the particular period of cerebellum development, exposure to lead (Pb) decreases cerebellum growth and can result in selective loss of neurons. The detection and prevention of Pb toxicity is a major international public health priorities. This research study was conducted to evaluate the effects of melatonin, an effective antioxidant and free radical scavenger, on Pb induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the cerebellum. Pb exposure was initiated on gestation day 5 with the addition of daily doses of 0.2% lead acetate to distilled drinking water and continues until weaning. Melatonin (10mg/kg) was given once daily at the same time. 21 days after birth, several antioxidant enzyme activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were assayed. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels were measured as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Rotarod and locomotor activity tests were performed on postnatal days (PDs) 31-33 and a histological study was performed after completion of behavioral measurements on PD 33. The results of the present work demonstrated that Pb could induce lipid peroxidation, increase TBARS levels and decrease GPx and SOD activities in the rat cerebellum. We also observed that Pb impaired performance on the rotarod and locomotor activities of rats. However, treatment with melatonin significantly attenuated the motoric impairment and lipid peroxidation process and restored the levels of antioxidants. Histological analysis indicated that Pb could decrease Purkinje cell count and melatonin prevented this toxic effect. These results suggest that treatment with melatonin can improve motor deficits and oxidative stress by protecting the cerebellum against Pb toxicity.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bazrgar
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran. Electronic address: irangoudarzi@du.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Iran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Goudarzi
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.
authors.forename: Taghi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lashkarbolouki
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elahdadi Salmani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D007854:Lead; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Lead acetate; Melatonin; Oxidative stress; Purkinje cell; Rat