Alterations in hydrogen peroxid production and cytochrome p-450 in rat liver treated with melatonin and aflatoxin B1

The production of H2 o2 generated during the metabolic activation of different Chemical Carcinogens including AFB by rat liver microsomes has been reported previously. In this study we went on to show the ability of melatonin as a free radical scavenger in the prodution of H2o2 during the metabolic activation of AFBj in rat liver microsomes. The amounts of H2 O2 and P450 contents in rat treated with melatnin (0.2 mg /kg BW) and /or AFBO.2 mg /kg BW) at various time intervals has been measured. Animal treated with melatonin exhibited a significant inhibition in the amounts of microsomal H2o2 after one, three and six hours. However, the microsomal P450 contents was also decreased after the same periods of time. A pronounced augmentation on both H2o2 production and P450 contents has been measured in rat liver treated with only AFBj. The highest level of both parameters was observed after one hour, where-as the lowest level was detected after three hours. On the other hand, contrary data was detect in animals received both AFB j and melatonin. the amount of H2o2 was inhibited after the tested time intervals. These results demonstrate that treatment with melatonin as a free radical scavenger inhibited the microsomal H 2o2 production in rat liver treated with AFB j.