Maher Amer Ali Amer1*, Azza I. Othman1, Dina Sedki1
1 Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt
*Corresponding Author:Professor Maher Amer. Email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Background: Iron is a vital metal to normal cellular function. In spite of its requirement in the body, a misbalance in iron homeostasis can be devastating. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effect of melatonin (MLT) on iron overload and its toxicity on brain and testes of male albino rats.Methods: The experimental animals were divided into four groups, the first group was left as control, the second group was treated with MLT at a dose of 15mg/kg B Wt., the third group was intoxicated with iron at a dose of 1g/kg B Wt. and the fourth group served as MLT and iron treated group. Results: Administration of iron caused significant elevation in serum iron and ferritin contents, while a decrease in serum transferrin and in some hematological parameters, (White blood cells & hematocrit percent) were observed. These changes were associated with increased lipid peroxidation, decreased glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, in both of testis and the brain. In addition decreased dopamine, serotonin and nor epinephrine levels were observed. On the other hand, the administration of MLT showed an ameliorative effect in all of the investigated parameters. Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study showed that MLT is an effective agent in prevention and amelioration the toxic effects of iron-overload that can potentially cause oxidative stress. In addition, MLT counteracted the deleterious effects that disturbed by iron overload in both testis and brain.
Key words: Melatonin, Iron Toxicity, Antioxidants, Male Rats.
Amer MAA, Othman AI, Sedki D.Assessment the role of melatonin in iron toxicity in male rats.Canad J ClinNutr 2014; 2 (2): 22-40
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2014.02.03
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