원문정보
초록
영어
Neuronal cell death in various models of neurodegenerative diseases is esponsible by oxidative stress. In this study, we have investigated the effects of melatonin, the main secretory product of pineal gland, against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Hydrogen peroxide treatment caused up-regulation in the levels of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in
cultured noradrenergic cells. It also caused down-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate limiting enzyme for norepinephrine biosynthesis, and eduction of p38 MAP kinase and Caspase-3. Melatonin prevented the activation of cell death signaling cascade under hydrogen peroxide mediation. Melatonin significantly prevented hydrogen peroxide-induced loss of cell viability and
induction of JNK/Caspase-3 activation. In addition, melatonin pretreatment attenuated down-regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase. These results suggest that melatonin has some protective properties against noradrenergic neuronal degeneration.