Abstract
Pineal graft from young to old rats was performed and red blood cell hemolysis, induced by the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2′-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), was evaluated 6 months after graft. Pineal graft modified the hemolysis curve kinetic profile in grafted rats versus age-matched controls, the 50% hemolysis time as well as the lag time were longer, whereas the maximal amount of hemolysis was lower, and it occurred over a longer period of time. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production was lower in pineal-grafted rats than in controls and the age-related decrease of erythrocyte membrane fluidity was prevented by pineal graft. The present findings support an important physiological role of pineal gland in preventing age-related alterations of erythrocyte membranes and suggest a possible antioxidant action of melatonin.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Garcia JJ, Reiter RJ, Guerrero JM, Escames G, Yu BP, Oh CS and Munoz-Hoyos A (1997) Melatonin prevents changes in microsomal membrane fluidity during induced lipid peroxidation. FEBS Lett 408: 297–300
Guerrero JM and Reiter RJ (1992) Abrief survey of pineal gland-immune system interrelationships. Endocrinol Res 18: 91–113
Hanahan DJ and Ekholm JE (1974) The preparation of red cell ghosts membranes. Meth Enzymol 31: 168–172
Jankovic BD, Isakovic K and Petrovic S (1970) Effect of pinealectomy on immune reactions in the rat. Immunology 8: 1–5
Lowry OH, Rosfbrough NJ, Farr AL and Randall RG (1951) Protein measurement with folin phenol reagent. J Biol Chem 193: 265–275
Maestroni GJM and Conti A (1993) Melatonin in relation to the immune system. In: Hing-Sing Y and Reiter RJ (eds) Melatonin: Biosynthesis, Physiological Effects, and Clinical Applications, pp 290–309. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
Maestroni GJM, Conti A and Pierpaoli W(1987) Role of pineal gland in immunity. II. Melatonin enhances the antibody response via an opiatergic mechanisms. Clin Exp Immunol 68: 384–391
Miki M, Tamai H, Mino M, Yamamoto K and Niki E (1987) Free radical chain oxidation in rat red blood cells by molecular oxygen and its inhibition by alpha-tocopherol. Arch Biochem Biophys 258: 373–380
Oxenkrug G, Requintina P and Bachurin S (2001) Antioxidant and antiaging activity of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin in the in vivo models. Ann NY Acad Sci 939: 190–199
Pieri C, Falasca M, Moroni F, Marcheselli F and Recchioni R (1991) Studies on cell membrane properties in food restricted rats. Aging 3: 401–403
Pieri C, Falasca M, Marcheselli F, Moroni F, Recchioni R, Marmocchi F and Lupidi G (1992) Food restriction in female Wistar rats: V. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in the liver. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 14: 93–99
Pieri C, Marra M, Moroni F, Recchioni R and Marcheselli F (1994) Melatonin: a peroxyl radical scavenger more effective than vitamin E. Life Sci 55: 271–276
Pierpaoli W and Maestroni GJM (1987) Melatonin: a principal neuroimmunoregulatory and anti-stress hormone: its anti-aging effects. Immunol Lett 16: 355–362
Pierpaoli W and Regelson W (1994) Pineal control of aging: effect of melatonin and pineal grafting on aging mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci (USA) 91: 787–791
Pierpaoli W, Dall'Ara A, Pedrinis E and Regelson W (1991) The pineal control of aging: the effects of melatonin and pineal grafting on the survival of older mice. Ann NY Acad Sci 621: 291–313
Provinciali M, Di Stefano G, Bulian D, Tibaldi A and Fabris N (1996) Effect of melatonin and pineal grafting on thymocyte apoptosis in aging mice. Mecg Ageing Dev 90: 1–19
Reiter RJ (1992) The ageing pineal gland and its physiological consequences. BioEssays 14: 169–175
Reiter RJ, Tan D and Kim SJ (1999) Augmentation of indices of oxidative damage in life-long melatonin-deficient rats. Mech Ageing Dev 110: 157–173
Stocks J and Dormand TL (1971) The autoxidation of human red cell lipids induced by hydrogen peroxide. Br J Hematol 20: 95–111
Sugiyama M, Fung KP and Wu TW (1993) Purpurogallin as an antioxidant protector of human erythrocytes against lysis by peroxyl radicals. Life Sci 53: 39–43
Tan DX, Manchester LC, Hardeland R, Lopez-Burillo S, Mayo JC, Sainz RM and Reiter RJ (2003) Melatonin: a hormone, a tissue factor, an autocoid, a paracoid, and an antioxidant vitamin. J Pineal Res 34: 75–78
Trentini GP, De Gaetani C and Criscuolo M (1991) Pineal gland and aging. Ageing 3: 301–116
Wu W, Scott DE and Reiter RJ (1993) Transplantation of the mammalian pineal gland: studies of survival, revasculariza-tion, reinnervation, and recovery of function. Exp Neurol 122: 88–99
Yu BP, Suescun EA and Yang SY (1992) Effect of age-related lipid peroxidation on membrane fluidity and phospholipase A2: modulation by dietary restriction. Mech Ageing Dev 65: 7–33
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moroni, F., Marcheselli, F., Recchioni, R. et al. Pineal graft in old rats improves erythrocyte resistance to peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis. Biogerontology 5, 339–344 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-004-2572-1
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-004-2572-1