The physiological role of melatonin in oxidative stress during the embryonic period of development

Abstract

Introduction. Melatonin, being a powerful endogenous antioxidant, provides healthy course of pregnancy and childbirth. Decrease of melatonin levels in blood correlates with severity of preeclampsia. Currently, melatonin is viewed as a perspective antioxidant, able to improve mother’s condition during preeclampsia and protect fetus from unfavorable intrauterine environment.The objective was to study melatonin effects on remodeling of chicken embryo heart tissue under normal conditions and under oxidative stress model.Materials and methods. The study was performed using organotypic culture of heart tissue of 10–12-day-old chicken embryos. Oxidative stress was modeled by adding epinephrine 10–4 М or homocysteine thiolactone 10–3 М to culture medium.Results. The trophotropic effects of melatonin was detected at a concentration of 10–6 M. Drug stimulated heart tissue explants’ growth on 20 %. Epinephrine showed cardiotoxic effects at concentrations of 10–4 and 10–6 М. Melatonin (10–6 М) neutralized cardiotoxic effects of epinephrine (10–4 M). Cardiotoxic effects of homocysteine thiolactone (10–3 М) preserved in presence of melatonin (10–6 М).Conclusion. During embryonic period, melatonin neutralizes cardiotoxic effects of oxidative stress caused by a high concentration of epinephrine, but not by homocysteine thiolactone.