In vivo evaluation of the potential antioxidant effect of the hormone Prolactin against the toxic effects of Methylmercury

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.813462414087

• Palavras-chave: Methylmercury; Prolactin; Antioxidant; Lipid Peroxidation; Catalase; Superoxide Dismutase

• Keywords: Methylmercury; Prolactin; Antioxidant; Lipid Peroxidation; Catalase; Superoxide Dismutase

• Abstract:

  Mercury is a xenobiont and is one of the most harmful organ-specific contaminants. One of the well-known effects of mercury is the production of free radicals, which induces a general breakdown of antioxidant mechanisms in the cell, favoring lipid peroxidation, followed by loss of membrane integrity and, finally, cell necrosis. Prolactin is a protein hormone that has more than 300 biological activities and many studies have demonstrated the protective functions that this hormone has in various tissues and experimental situations, including antioxidant action. To evaluate the possible antioxidant effect of prolactin, mice were subjected to sub-chronic exposure to methylmercury and treated with the prolactin hormone. After the treatment period, lipid peroxidation and the action of the enzymes Catalase and Superoxide Dismutase were evaluated in liver and kidney samples from these animals. The antioxidant action of prolactin was better observed in the evaluation of the action of the Superoxide Dismutase enzyme.