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Melatonin: a pleiotropic hormone as a novel potent therapeutic candidate in arsenic toxicity

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Abstract

Background

Arsenic is a natural element which exists in the environment in inorganic and organic forms. In humans, the main reason for the toxicity of arsenic is its uptake via water sources. As polluted water and the problems associated with it can be found in many countries. Therefore, considering all these positive effects of melatonin, this review is aimed at melatonin supplementation therapy on arsenic toxicity which seems to be a suitable therapeutic agent to eliminate the adverse effects of arsenic.

Methods and Results

It is seen in previous studies that chronic exposure to arsenic could cause serious dys functions of organs and induce different degrees of toxicities that is one of the first hazardous materials in the classification of substances by the United States Environmental Protection Agency so leads to costly cleanup operations burdening the economy. Arsenic harmfulness degree depends on the bioavailability, chemical form, valence state, detoxification, and metabolism of human body. The oxidative stress has a major role in arsenic-induced toxicity; on the other hand, it was discovered that melatonin is a powerful scavenger for free radical and it’s an extensive-spectrum antioxidant.

Conclusion

Due to its highly lipophilic and small size properties, melatonin accesses all intracellular organs by easily passing via the cell membrane and prevents protein, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation. In particular, melatonin, by protecting and reducing oxidative stress in mitochondria, can normalize homeostasis and mitochondrial function and ultimately prevent apoptosis and cell death.

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Abbreviations

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

AS:

Arsenic

H2O2:

Hydrogen peroxide

NO:

Nitric oxide

HO− :

Hydroxyl radical’s species

O2:

Superoxide anion

(CH3)2As:

Dimethyl arsenic radical

(CH3)2Asoo:

Dimethyl arsenic peroxyl radical

OhdG:

8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine

SCE:

Sister chromatid exchanges

SCEs:

Sister chromatid exchanges

Cas:

Chromosomal aberrations

COX-2:

Cyclooxygenase-2

MAPK:

Mitogen-activated protein kinases

IL-6:

Interleukin 6

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor

ATO:

Arsenic trioxide

CAT:

Catalase

GPx:

Glutathione peroxidase

UROШ-s:

Uroporphyrinogen III synthetase

PBG-D:

Porphobilinogen deaminase

Aβ:

Amyloid-β

NMDA:

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor

CKD:

Chronic kidney disease

COPD:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AR:

Androgen receptor

MTBS:

Mean testicular biopsy score

MSTD:

Mean seminiferous tubular diameter

VSMCs:

Vascular smooth muscle cells

MLCK:

Myosin light chain kinase

IRI:

Ischemia/reperfusion injury

GERD:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

MMP-2:

Matrix metalloproteinase-2

GHS:

Global hepatitis summit

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Acknowledgements

The abstract of this article is submitted to the Third National Conference on Biotechnology Innovation and Technology, Iranian Chemistry (Abstract code: BC031576159).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Naseh Abdollahzade & Shirin Babri

  2. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Naseh Abdollahzade & Shirin Babri

  3. Solid Tumor Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

    Maryam Majidinia

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Abdollahzade, N., Majidinia, M. & Babri, S. Melatonin: a pleiotropic hormone as a novel potent therapeutic candidate in arsenic toxicity. Mol Biol Rep 48, 6603–6618 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06669-3

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