Melatonin reduces protein and lipid oxidative damage induced by homocysteine in rat brain homogenates

Numerous data indicate that hyperhomocysteinemia is a risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. At least in part, homocysteine (HCY) impairs cerebrovascular function because it generates large numbers of free radicals. Since melatonin is a well-known antioxidant, which reduces oxidative stress and decreases HCY concentrations in plasma, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of melatonin in preventing HCY-induced protein and lipid oxidation in rat brain homogenates. Brain homogenates were obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats and were incubated with or without HCY (0.01-5 mM) or melatonin (0.01-3 mM). Carbonyl content of proteins, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxyalkenals (4-HDA) concentrations in the brain homogenates were used as an index of protein and lipid oxidation, respectively. Under the experimental conditions used, the addition of HCY (0.01-5 mM) to the homogenates enhanced carbonyl protein and MDA+4-HDA formation. Melatonin reduced, in a concentration-dependent manner, protein and lipid oxidation due to HCY in the brain homogenates. These data suggest that preserving proteins from oxidative insults is an additional mechanism by which melatonin may act as an agent in potentially decreasing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases related to hyperhomocysteinemia.