ROS Melatonin And Porphyria

Another interesting article I found just today confirming the ROS connection and Porphyria. Interesting that the study was done in 2001. Anybody out there on Melatonin? Ask your doctor if Melatonin is right for you.

Journal Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
Publisher Springer Netherlands
ISSN 0300-8177 (Print) 1573-4919 (Online)
Issue Volume 218, Numbers 1-2 / February, 2001
DOI 10.1023/A:1007225809674
Pages 87-92
Subject Collection Biomedical and Life Sciences
SpringerLink Date Sunday, October 31, 2004


Wenbo Qi1, Russel J. Reiter1 , Dun-Xian Tan1, Lucien C. Manchester1 and Juan R. Calvo1

(1) Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA


Abstract -aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a heme precursor which accumulates during lead poisoning and acute intermittent porphyria, is reported to cause liver cancer. The carcinogenic mechanisms of ALA may relate to its ability to generate free radicals through metal-catalyzed oxidation which cause oxidative DNA damage. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of melatonin, trolox (vitamin E) and mannitol in altering DNA damage induced by ALA. Herein, we found, in the presence of Fe2+, that ALA-induced formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in calf thymus DNA was dose and time-dependent. Melatonin, mannitol and trolox, all of which are free radical scavengers, inhibited the formation of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentration of each (melatonin, mannitol and trolox) required to reduce DNA damage by 50%, i.e., the IC50, was 0.52, 0.84 and 0.90 mM, respectively.
-aminolevulinic acid - 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine - melatonin - mannitol - vitamin E

http://www.springerlink.com/content/m366204481426129/