Antioxidant enzymes form the first line of defense against free radicals in organisms. Their regulation depends mainly on the oxidant status of the cell, given that oxidants are their principal modulators. However, other factors have been reported to increase antioxidant enzyme activity and/or gene expression. During the last decade, the antioxidant melatonin has been shown to possess genomic actions, regulating the expression of several genes. Melatonin also influences both antioxidant enzyme activity and cellular mRNA levels for these enzymes. In the present report, we review the studies which document the influence of melatonin on the activity and expression of the antioxidative enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutases and catalase both under physiological and under conditions of elevated oxidative stress. We also analyze the possible mechanisms by which melatonin regulates these enzymes.

中文翻译：

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抗氧化酶的调节：褪黑激素的重要作用。

抗氧化酶是抵抗生物体内自由基的第一道防线。考虑到氧化剂是其主要调节剂，它们的调节主要取决于细胞的氧化剂状态。然而，已经报道了其他因素增加抗氧化酶活性和/或基因表达。在过去的十年中，抗氧化剂褪黑激素已显示出具有基因组作用，可调节多个基因的表达。褪黑激素还影响这些酶的抗氧化酶活性和细胞mRNA水平。在本报告中，我们审查了研究褪黑激素对生理和氧化应激升高条件下抗氧化酶谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶，超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性和表达的影响的研究。