The effect of melatonin on mitochondrial function in endotoxemia induced by lipopolysaccharide

This study examined the metabolism of free radicals in hepatic mitochondria of goats induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and investigated the effects of melatonin (MT). Forty-eight healthy goats (10 +/- 1.2 kg) were randomly selected and divided into four groups: saline control, LPS, MT+LPS and MT. The goats within each group were3 sacrificed either 3 or 6 h after treatment and the livers removed to isolate mitochondria. The respiration control ratio (RCR), the ADP:O ratio, the oxidative phosphorylation ratio (OPR), the concentration of H2O2 and the activities of Complex I-IV were determined. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta psi(m)) was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that RCR, O/P and OPR of the LPS group decreased (p<0.05), as well as activities of respiratory complexes, whereas the generation of H2O2 in Complex III increased (p<0.05) after 3 h, while Complex II and III increased after 6 h. Also, it was found that the mitochondrial membrane potential of the LPS group declined (p<0.05). However, pre-treatment with MT attenuated the injury induced by LPS, which not only presented higher (p<0.05) RCR, O/P, OPR, and respiratory complex activities, but also maintained the Delta psi(m). Interestingly, it is revealed that, in the MT+LPS group, the generation of H2O2 increased firstly in 3 h, and then significantly (p<0.05) decreased after 6 h. In the MT group, the function of mitochondria, the transmenbrane potential and the generation of H2O2 were obviously improved compared to the control group. Conclusion: melatonin prevents damage caused by LPS on hepatic mitochondria of goats.