Melatonin regulates oxidative stress and apoptosis in fetal hearts of pinealectomised RUPP rats.

OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis in the fetal heart in RUPP rats. METHODS:The fetal heart samples were obtained from melatonin administrated RUPP rats. RESULTS:Our results indicate that preeclampsia exacerbated by melatonin deficiency triggers hypoxic conditions, both mis/un-folded protein response, oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Melatonin treatment provided significant therapeutic effects on fetal hearts via regulating all these stress response at cellular and molecular levels. CONCLUSION:Melatonin may be considered as a potential molecule for development of preventive strategies to reduce the PE induced risk of cardiovascular diseases in offspring.