Effect of pinealectomy on the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the prefrontal cortex, liver and soleus.

Author(s)

Rafael Maso Prévide

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI)
• Defense date: 2011-09-12

Examining board members

Jose Cipolla Neto; Fernanda Gaspar do Amaral; Daniella do Carmo Buonfiglio

• Advisor: Jose Cipolla Neto

Abstract

Melatonin is an indolamine synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland during the night. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pinealectomy on gene expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes in the prefrontal cortex, liver and soleus muscle using for this purpose control, pinealectomized and melatonin-treated pinealectomized rats. The animals were sacrificed 60 days after surgery. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (Cat) and SOD 1 and 2 gene expression was evaluated by qPCR and GPx and Cat enzyme activity was assessed by spectrophotometry. A reduction of GPx mRNA expression was found in the soleus muscle of pinealectomized animals at ZT18 and an increased activity of the same enzyme at ZT6 was observed in this group compared to control. The prefrontal cortex presented an increased activity of GPx in the pinealectomized animals at ZT24. We conclude that the absence of melatonin alters the expression pattern of GPx in the soleus muscle and causes an increase in the activity of the same enzyme in the prefrontal cortex and soleus. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/04308-4 - Study of the mechanisms of mitochondrial melatonin production
• Grantee: Rafael Maso Prévide
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master