Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11(1), 312-328; doi:10.3390/ijms11010312
Article

Melatonin and Structurally-Related Compounds Protect Synaptosomal Membranes from Free Radical Damage

Sergio Millán-Plano 1 email, Eduardo Piedrafita 1 email, Francisco J. Miana-Mena 1 email, Lorena Fuentes-Broto 1 email, Enrique Martínez-Ballarín 1 email, Laura López-Pingarrón 2 email, María A. Sáenz 1 email and Joaquín J. García 1,* email
1 Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain 2 Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 23 December 2009 / Accepted: 15 January 2010 / Published: 21 January 2010
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroprotective Strategies)
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Abstract: Since biological membranes are composed of lipids and proteins we tested the in vitro antioxidant properties of several indoleamines from the tryptophan metabolic pathway in the pineal gland against oxidative damage to lipids and proteins of synaptosomes isolated from the rat brain. Free radicals were generated by incubation with 0.1 mM FeCl3, and 0.1 mM ascorbic acid. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) plus 4-hydroxyalkenal (4-HDA), and carbonyl content in the proteins were measured as indices of oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, respectively. Pinoline was the most powerful antioxidant evaluated, with melatonin, N-acetylserotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-methoxytryptophol, and tryptoline also acting as antioxidants.
Keywords: melatonin; pinoline; indoleamine; free radical; lipid peroxidation; protein oxidation; synaptosome

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MDPI and ACS Style

Millán-Plano, S.; Piedrafita, E.; Miana-Mena, F.J.; Fuentes-Broto, L.; Martínez-Ballarín, E.; López-Pingarrón, L.; Sáenz, M.A.; García, J.J. Melatonin and Structurally-Related Compounds Protect Synaptosomal Membranes from Free Radical Damage. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11, 312-328.

AMA Style

Millán-Plano S, Piedrafita E, Miana-Mena FJ, Fuentes-Broto L, Martínez-Ballarín E, López-Pingarrón L, Sáenz MA, García JJ. Melatonin and Structurally-Related Compounds Protect Synaptosomal Membranes from Free Radical Damage. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2010; 11(1):312-328.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Millán-Plano, Sergio; Piedrafita, Eduardo; Miana-Mena, Francisco J.; Fuentes-Broto, Lorena; Martínez-Ballarín, Enrique; López-Pingarrón, Laura; Sáenz, María A.; García, Joaquín J. 2010. "Melatonin and Structurally-Related Compounds Protect Synaptosomal Membranes from Free Radical Damage." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 11, no. 1: 312-328.

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