褪黑素对谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠海马5-羟色胺水平的影响

目的观察褪黑素(Melatonin,MT)对谷氨酸钠(Glutamate,Glu)致痫大鼠海马5-羟色胺(5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT)水平的影响,研究其抑制癫痫的作用机制。方法40只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组(每组10只),分别为生理盐水对照组(NS组);谷氨酸钠致痫组(Glu组);褪黑素 谷氨酸钠组(MT Glu组);Luzidole 褪黑素 谷氨酸钠组(Luz MT Glu组)。观察并记录大鼠行为学及脑电图改变,用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠海马内5-HT含量变化。结果行为学观察和EEG显示,NS组无痫样发作和痫样放电,Glu组和Luz MT Glu组痫样发作重(Ⅲ-Ⅴ级),脑电图显示频发高幅的痫样波,TM Glu组无或仅有轻微发作(0-Ⅱ级),脑电图上无或偶见散在单个微小痫样波;免疫组织化学分析结果显示,Glu组和Luz MT Glu组大鼠海马内5-HT含量与对照组比较均减少,差异性明显(P<0.05),MT Glu组较Glu组和Luz MT Glu组5-HT含量升高,差异性明显(P<0.05)。结论MT对谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠痫样发作程度、痫样放电有抑制作用,其机制之一是经由其特异性的膜受体,通过某种机制增强5-HT作用,进而发挥抑痫效应。     

褪黑素对谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠海马5-色胺水平的影响

目的观察褪黑素（Melatonin,MT）对谷氨酸钠（Glutamate,Glu）致痫大鼠海马5-羟色胺（5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT）水平的影响,研究其抑制癫痫的作用机制。方法40只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组（每组10只）,分别为生理盐水对照组（NS组）;谷氨酸钠致痫组（Glu组）;褪黑素＋谷氨酸钠组（MT＋Glu组）;Luzidole＋褪黑素＋谷氨酸钠组（Luz＋MT＋Glu组）。观察并记录大鼠行为学及脑电图改变,用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠海马内5-HT含量变化。结果行为学观察和EEG显示,NS组无痫样发作和痫样放电,Glu组和Luz＋MT＋Glu组痫样发作重（Ⅲ—Ⅴ级）,脑电图显示频发高幅的痫样波,TM＋Glu组无或仅有轻微发作（0-Ⅱ级）,脑电图上无或偶见散在单个微小痫样波;免疫组织化学分析结果显示,Glu组和Luz＋MT＋Glu组大鼠海马内5-HT含量与对照组比较均减少,差异性明显（P〈0．05）,MT＋Glu组较Glu组和Luz＋MT＋Glu组5-HT含量升高,差异性明显（P〈0．05）。结论MT对谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠痫样发作程度、痫样放电有抑制作用,其机制之一是经由其特异性的膜受体,通过某种机制增强5-HT作用,进而发挥抑痫效应。     

褪黑素对马桑内酯致痫大鼠海马及皮质内TNF—α水平的影响

目的观察褪黑素（melatonin,MT）对马桑内酯（coriaria lactone,CL）致痫大鼠海马及皮质内TNF-α水平的影响,探讨其抑制癫痫的作用机制。方法60]5健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组（每组15只）,分别为A组：生理盐水对照组（NS组）;B组：马桑内酯致痫组（CL组）;C组：褪黑素＋马桑内酯组（MT＋CL组）;D组：Luzidole＋褪黑素＋马桑内酯组（Luz＋MT＋CL组）。观察并记录火鼠行为学改变,用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠海马及皮质内TNF-α含量的变化。用实时荧光定量PCR的方法检测大鼠海马内TNF—dmRNA含量的变化。结果行为学观察,NS组无痫样发作,CL组和Luz＋MT＋CL组痫样发作重（Ⅲ—Ⅴ级）,MT＋CL组无或仅有轻微发作（0-Ⅱ级）;免疫组织化学观察,与正常对照组比较,CL组和Luz＋MT＋CL组大鼠海马及皮质内TNF-α含量均明显增高（P〈0．05）;与CL组和Luz＋MT＋CL组比较,MT＋CL组TNF-α含量明显降低（P〈0．05）。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,与正常对照组比较,CL组和Luz＋MT＋CL组大鼠海马TNF-αmRNA含量均明显增高（P〈0．05）;与CL组和Luz＋MT＋CL组比较,MT＋CL组大鼠海马TNFQmRNA含量明显降低（P〈0．05）;结论褪黑素能明显地抑制马桑内酯引起的致痫作用,其机制可能与影响海马及皮质内TNF-α水平有关。     

褪黑素对谷氨酸致痫大鼠海马cAMP水平的影响

目的探讨褪黑素(melatonin, MT)对谷氨酸(glutamate,Glu)致痫大鼠海马cAMP水平的影响.方法　随机将健康SD雄性大鼠分为A、B、C、D 4组,每组10只,分别为对照组、Glu组、MT Glu组和Luzidole MT Glu组,观察并记录动物行为学及EEG改变,应用放射免疫方法检测各组动物脑内cAMP水平.结果行为学观察和EEG显示,B组和D组大鼠均出现痫性发作,并出现频发性痫性放电,C组大鼠痫性发作不明显,无频发性痫性放电出现;放射免疫分析结果显示,B组和D组海马cAMP含量均较对照组显著的升高(P<0.05);C组较B组和D组cAMP水平明显降低(P<0.05),与A组无明显差异性(P>0.05).结论MT对Glu致痫大鼠有抑痫作用,此作用是通过其受体调节海马内cAMP水平来实现的.     

褪黑素对海人酸致痫大鼠海马内TGF-β3水平的影响

目的探讨褪黑素(me1atonin,MT)对海人酸(kainic acid,KA)致痫大鼠海马内TGF-β3的影响,进一步明确其在中枢内的作用。方法将实验大鼠随机分为3组:生理盐水对照组(NS组)、海人酸组(KA组)、褪黑素+海人酸组(MT+KA组)。各组大鼠给予相应试剂处理后观察并记录大鼠行为学改变,用免疫组织化学方法、RT-PCR检测大鼠海马内TGF-β3(transforming growth factor-β3)的表达情况及其mRNA变化。结果动物行为学观察显示,NS组无癫痫发作,KA组发作程度为Ⅲ-V级,MT+KA组为0-Ⅲ级;免疫组织化学结果显示,TGF-β3在3组大鼠海马内均有表达,其中KA组、MT+KA组较NS组表达增强,MT+KA组较KA组增强,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05);RT-PCR结果显示,与NS组相比较,KA组、MT+KA组大鼠海马内TGF-β3 mRNA含量均升高;但MT+KA组升高较KA组多,差异具有显著性意义(P0.05)。结论褪黑素能明显改善海人酸诱发的大鼠癫痫,增强海马内TGF-β3的表达,减轻海马神经元损伤,发挥中枢保护作用。     

褪黑素对谷氨酸致痫大鼠海马内谷氨酸、GABA及其受体水平的影响

目的探讨褪黑素(melatonin,MT)对谷氨酸(glutamate,Glu)致痫大鼠海马内Glu及GluR2、γ-氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric-acid,GABA)及其受体GABRA1水平的影响,进而研究褪黑素的抑痫作用机制。方法随机将健康SD雄性大鼠40只分为A、B、C、D组,每组10只。A组:生理盐水组;B组:MT Glu组;C组:Glu致痫组;D组:Luzidole MT Glu组。观察并记录行为学变化,采用免疫组化法进行Glu、GluR2、GABA和GABRA1免疫组化染色和图像分析。结果行为学观察结果显示,C组和D组大鼠均有不同程度的癫痫发作,B组大鼠癫痫发作不明显,A组无发作;免疫组化结果显示,C组和D组海马内CA1-CA3区和齿状回Glu阳性反应较A组增强(P<0.05),GluR2、GABA和GABRA1均较A组减弱(P<0.05),B组Glu较C组和D组阳性反应有显著性减弱(P<0.05),GluR2、GABA和GABRA1阳性反应均较C组和D组有显著性增强(P<0.05),而B组与A组无明显差异性。结论MT通过增加GABA及其受体GABRA1和GluR2的作用和抑制Glu作用对Glu致痫大鼠癫痫发作发挥抑制作用。     

氯喹对戊四氮致痫大鼠皮质和海马谷氨酸和NMDAR1表达的影响

目的观察氯喹对戊四氮致痫大鼠皮质和海马谷氨酸(glutamate,Glu)和N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体1(NMDAR1,NR1)表达的影响,探讨氯喹在癫痫发生发展过程中对神经递质传导的作用。方法48只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(12只)、戊四氮致痫组(60mg/kg,i.p.,18只)和氯喹干预组(0.61mg/kg,i.c.v.,18只)。每组分6个时间点:1h、2h、4h、8h、12h和24h。观察大鼠行为表现和脑电图改变,用免疫组化检测大鼠皮质和海马Glu和NR1的变化。结果对照组无痫样发作,戊四氮致痫组有重型的痫样发作(Ⅲ-Ⅴ级),氯喹干预组有轻型的痫样发作(Ⅰ-Ⅲ级)(P<0.05);戊四氮致痫组脑电记录呈频发高幅的痫样波,氯喹干预组痫样波幅低且缓;Glu和NR1在戊四氮致痫组表达强,以海马为著,与对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.05),氯喹干预组与对照组比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论氯喹通过对戊四氮致痫大鼠皮质和海马神经递质Glu和NR1信号传导通路的抑制作用,影响致痫大鼠痫样发作的发生和发展。     

激活的星形胶质细胞条件培养基对大鼠杏仁核谷氨酸的影响

为探讨星形胶质细胞在癫痫发作中的作用,用肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α）刺激纯化培养的海马星形胶持细胞,将此条件培养基（astrocytic conditioned medium,ACM)10μl注入大鼠侧脑室,观察动物的行为,脑电图及杏仁核内谷氨酸（glutamic acid,Glu)免疫组织化学反应。结果表明,侧脑室注射ACM可引起大鼠癫痫样发作,脑电图出现阵发性痫样放电;杏仁核内Glu免疫阳性反应增强,经多媒体彩色病理图分析系统（MPIAS）检测。阳性细胞面密度和平均光密度高于对照组,本实验为星形胶质细胞在癫痫复发中的作用机理提供了直接的依据。     

IL-1β对谷氨酸致痫大鼠大脑皮质、海马内蛋白激酶A表达的影响

目的　探讨白细胞介素 1β (Interleukin 1beta ,IL 1β)对谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠脑内PKACβ表达的影响 ,为阐明IL 1β在致痫中的作用机制提供资料。方法　随机将健康成年SD大鼠分为对照组、Glu组、IL 1β +Glu组、IL 1ra +IL 1β +Glu组和MCCG (2 methyl 2 carboxycyclopropylglycine +IL 1β+Glu组 (每组 8只 )。采用行为学测试及WesternBlot和免疫组织化学方法观察。结果　MCCG组大鼠痫性发作潜伏期 [平均 (1 1± 0 2min) ]较Glu组 [平均 (2 0± 0 3min) ]及IL 1β +Glu组 [平均 (1 8± 0 2min) ]明显缩短 (P 0 0 5 ) ,痫性发作持续时间 [平均 (4 6 4± 1 6min) ]明显延长(P 0 0 5 ) ,且发作程度加重 ,对照组及IL 1ra +IL 1β +Glu组无痫性发作 ;WesternBlot结果显示PKACβ含量在Glu组和IL 1β +Glu组大鼠大脑皮质及海马内均较对照组和IL 1ra +IL 1β +Glu组明显增多 (P 0 0 5 ) ,而对照组和IL 1ra +IL 1β+Glu组两组间无明显差别 ,MCCG +IL 1β +Glu组PKACβ含量显著高于其余各组 (P 0 0 5 ) ;免疫组化染色显示 ,PKACβ免疫反应增强主要表现在大脑皮质、海马CA3区及齿状回的颗粒细胞层 ,其各组间的变化与WesternBlot结果一致。结论　IL 1β参与致痫 ,IL 1对Glu致痫的促进作用与PKA介导的     

IL-1β对L-谷氨酸致痫大鼠大脑皮质和海马腺苷酸环化酶表达的影响

目的探讨白细胞介素IL-1β促痫作用的机制及IL-1β对谷氨酸致痫大鼠大脑皮质和海马内腺苷酸环化酶表达的影响.方法将实验SD大鼠随机分为生理盐水对照组;L-Glutamate致痫组;IL-1β+L-Glutamate组;IL-1ra+ IL-1β+L-Glutamate组;和MCCG(2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine) +IL-1β+L-Glutamate组,每组8只.采用行为学观察方法和免疫组织化学方法及Western blot方法进行研究.结果 IL-1β+L-Glutamate组大鼠癫痫发作的行为表现以及大脑皮质、海马内腺苷酸环化酶(AC)表达与单纯用L-谷氨酸钠致痫大鼠组比较没有明显区别(P>0.05),但与对照组比较AC表达增强(P<0.05);如果预先给予IL-ra,再给予IL-1β和阈下剂量的L-谷氨酸钠,癫痫发作不出现,脑内AC表达较对照组未见明显增强(P>0.05);但如果预先给予MCCG,脑内AC表达与对照组相比增高,癫痫发作的潜伏期最短,强度最大,与对照组比有显著性差异(P<0.05).结论本实验表明IL-1β有促痫作用,这种促痫效应的发挥可能与IL-1R介导的与谷氨酸受体的协同作用有关,并与AC表达增加有关.     

Protective effect of melatonin against oxidative stress on adhesion formation in the rat cecum and uterine horn model

This experimental study was designed to evaluate the degree of adhesion formation and peritoneal tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) and the effect of melatonin on these metabolites in a postoperative intraperitoneal adhesion formation model in rats. Thirty adult female Wistar albino rats were subjected to standardized lesions by cecal and uterine horn abrasion and were randomly divided into three groups. Control rats were treated with 5% ethanol. Melatonin treated rats received 4 mg/kg melatonin before closure and for 10 consecutive days intraperitoneally after surgery. Rats in the sham operation group underwent a surgical procedure similar to the other groups however the peritoneal abrasion was not performed. On postoperative day 10 relaparatomy was performed. After the assessment of the adhesions, the rats in each group were sacrificed and peritoneal tissues were harvested to determine the tissue levels of MDA, GSH and NO activity. Adhesion formation scores in the melatonin group were significantly lower than that of control and sham group (p<0.01 and p<0.02, respectively). Tissue levels of MDA and NO were significantly lower in the melatonin treated rats when compared with control and sham groups. The levels of GSH in the melatonin treated rats were significantly higher than those of control and sham groups (p<0.01). The results demonstrate that in this experimental model, intraperitoneal administration of melatonin decreases the extent of peritoneal adhesions and causes a decrease in MDA and NO and an increase in GSH levels.     

Neuroprotective effect of melatonin on radiation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats

This study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin on irradiation-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the brainstem region of Wistar rats. Therefore, the animals underwent whole-brain X-radiation with a single dose of 25 Gy in the presence or absence of melatonin pretreatment at a concentration of 100 mg/kg BW. The rats were allocated into four groups (10 rats in each group): namely, vehicle control (VC), 100 mg/kg of melatonin alone (MLT), irradiation-only (RAD), and irradiation plus 100 mg/kg of melatonin (RAM). An hour before irradiation, the animals received intraperitoneal (IP) melatonin and then were killed after 6 hr, followed by measurement of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the brainstem region. Furthermore, the western blot analysis technique was performed to assess the caspase-3 expression level. Results showed significantly higher MDA and NO levels in the brainstem tissues for the RAD group when compared with the VC group (p < .001). Moreover, the irradiated rats exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of CAT, SOD, GPx, and TAC (p < .01, p < .001, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively) in comparison to the VC group. The results of apoptosis assessment revealed that the expression level of caspase-3 significantly rose in the RAD group in comparison with the VC group (p < .001). Pretreatment with melatonin ameliorated the radiation-induced adverse effects by decreasing the MDA and NO levels (p < .001) and increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities (p < .001). Consequently, the caspase-3 protein expression level in the RAM group showed a significant reduction in comparison with the RAD group (p < .001). In conclusion, melatonin approximately showed a capacity for neuroprotective activity in managing irradiation-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the brainstem of rats; however, the use of melatonin as a neuroprotective agent in humans requires further study, particularly clinical trials.     

Radio-protective effects of melatonin against irradiation-induced oxidative damage in rat peripheral blood

During radiotherapy, ionizing irradiation interacts with biological systems to produce free radicals, which attacks various cellular components. The hematopoietic system is well-known to be radiosensitive and its damage may be life-threatening. Melatonin synergistically acts as an immunostimulator and antioxidant. In this study we used a total of 120 rats with 20 rats in each group. Group 1 did not receive melatonin or irradiation (Control group), Group 2 received only 10 mg/kg melatonin (Mel group), Group 3 exposed to dose of 2 Gy irradiation (2 Gy Rad group), Group 4 exposed to 8 Gy irradiation (8 Gy Rad group), Group 5 received 2 Gy irradiation plus 10 mg/kg melatonin (Mel +2 Gy Rad group) and Group 6 received 8 Gy irradiation plus 10 mg/kg melatonin (Mel+8 Gy Rad group). Following exposure to radiation, five rats from each group were sacrificed at 4, 24, 48 and 72 h. Exposure to different doses of irradiation resulted in a dose-dependent decline in the antioxidant enzymes activity and lymphocyte count (LC) and an increase in the nitric oxide (NO) levels of the serum. Pre-treatment with melatonin (10 mg/kg) ameliorates harmful effects of 2 and 8 Gy irradiation by increasing lymphocyte count(LC) as well as antioxidant enzymes activity and decreasing NO levels at all time-points. In conclusion 10 mg/kg melatonin is likely to be a threshold concentration for significant protection against lower dose of 2 Gy gamma irradiation compared to higher dose of 8 Gy. Therefore, it seems that radio-protective effects of melatonin are dose-dependent.     

Melatonin Ameliorates Cerebral Vasospasm After Experimental Subarachnoidal Haemorrhage Correcting Imbalance of Nitric Oxide Levels in Rats

In the present study, we investigated the in vivo effects of melatonin on SAH-induced cerebral vasospasm and oxidative stress, resulting from SAH in an experimental rat model. Twenty-eight rats (225–250 g) were divided into four groups equally: group 1; control, group 2; SAH, group 3; SAH plus placebo, and group 4; SAH plus melatonin. We used double haemorrhage method for SAH groups. Beginning 6 h after SAH, 20 mg/kg melatonin or equal volume of 0.9% saline was administered intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days to groups 3 and 4, respectively. Melatonin or 0.9% saline injections were continued up to fifth day after SAH and rats were sacrificed at the end of this period. Brain sections at the level of the pons were examined by light microscopy. The lumen diameter and the vessel wall thickness of basilar artery were measured using a micrometer. The serum levels of cerebral vasodilator nitric oxide (NO), the brain levels of an intrinsic antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) and a NO regulator arginase activities were measured. The brain levels of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine, a nitrosative stress parameter immunohistochemiacally determined. In conclusion, melatonin administration ameliorated cerebral vasospasm by increasing serum NO level and decreasing the brain the levels of arginase and oxidative stress. It is therefore possible that increased brain arginase activity after SAH may also have a significant role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm by limiting the availability of arginine for NO production.     

有氧运动联合褪黑素对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠骨质疏松的影响

目的：观察有氧运动和褪黑素对Ⅱ型糖尿病大鼠骨质疏松的影响。方法：6周龄的成年雌性SD大鼠60只,随机分为安静对照组（N组）10只和Ⅱ型糖尿病模型组50只,N组大鼠不加任何干预,Ⅱ型糖尿病模型组大鼠一次性腹腔注射35 mg/kg链脲佐菌素（STZ）,1周后检测大鼠血糖大于16.7 mmol/L为Ⅱ型糖尿病造模成功,将40只成模大鼠随机分为糖尿病对照组（D）、糖尿病+有氧运动组（DE）、糖尿病+褪黑素组（DM）、糖尿病+有氧运动+褪黑素组（DEM）,每组10只;DE组和DEM组大鼠采用20 min的递增负荷的方式进行跑台有氧运动,训练持续6周,DM组和DEM组大鼠每天灌胃40 mg/kg褪黑素,观察各组大鼠体重、脊椎骨以及左右股骨骨密度（BMD）、观察大鼠血糖、血清丙二醛（MDA）、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）、血清总钙（Ca）、无机磷（P）和甲状旁腺素（PTH）的变化。结果：与N组相比,D组大鼠体重、血清SOD、GSH-Px水平、血Ca、腰椎和左右股骨BMD显著降低（P < 0.05,P < 0.01）,血糖、血清MDA和血PTH水平显著升高（P < 0.01）,血P无明显变化（P > 0.05）;与D组比较,DE组、DM组大鼠大鼠体重、血清SOD、GSH-Px水平、血Ca、腰椎和左右股骨BMD显著升高（P < 0.05,P <0.01）,血糖、血清MDA和血PTH水平显著降低（P < 0.05,P < 0.01）,血P无明显变化（P > 0.05）,有氧运动和褪黑素同时干预效果更好。结论：有氧运动和褪黑素均能改善糖尿病骨质疏松,且两者联合干预的效果更加显著,其可能与通过提高糖尿病大鼠的抗氧化应激能力,调节糖的代谢从而有效地降低血钙和PTH,改善BMD来缓解骨质疏松有关。     

Melatonin treatment for prevention of oxidative stress: involving histopathological changes

This study was undertaken to test the effect of irradiation on the histopathology of the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. In addition, the probable effects of radiotherapy on the activities of antioxidant enzymes and levels of nitric oxide (NO) in the plasma were investigated as well. The effects of melatonin treatment on radiotherapy-based central nervous system (CNS) damage were also studied. For this purpose, the rats were randomized into four groups. The first group was the control group (sham-exposed group), the second group received only melatonin, the third group was irradiated and the fourth group received both melatonin and irradiation. Plasma samples of rats were collected for measuring the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and the levels of NO. 24 h after the interventions, tissue samples were obtained from the hypothalamus and the cerebral cortex for the light microscopic investigations. These tissues were mostly affected by radiation. The results indicated that the application of radiation significantly enhanced the levels of plasma SOD and NO. On the other hand, melatonin pretreatment prevented the decrease in plasma CAT activity induced by irradiation. It was found that the application of melatonin could significantly prevent the irradiation-induced damages. Light microscopic results revealed that the damage of the CNS by radiation was prevented by the application of melatonin.     

Chemopreventive effect of lycopene alone or with melatonin against the genesis of oxidative stress and mammary tumors induced by 7,12 dimethyl(a)benzanthracene in sprague dawely female rats

Breast cancer is the principle cause of death among women worldwide. In this study, we investigated the anti-tumor potential of lycopene (Lyco) alone or combined with melatonin (Lyco + Mel) for 120 days against a single oral dose of (50 mg/kg B.W.) 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced oxidative stress and mammary carcinogenesis in female rats. The treatment protocol started from the day immediately after DMBA administration. Results obtained indicated that there was an elevation in the levels of malondialdhyde and nitric oxide in serum and breast tissues of DMBA injected rats. The combined treatment (Lyco + Mel) group showed a potential reduction of these parameters more than lyco individually. The activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx were found to be significantly high than lyco alone treated rats. In DMBA group a negative significant correlation between weight and serum nitric oxide (r = -0.59), and a positive significant correlation between NO and MDA (r = 0.81) was observed. Histopathological examination revealed the formation of tumor and angiogenesis in DMBA-induced rats and these abnormal changes were ameliorated by combined treatment with Lyco + Mel. In conclusion, these results suggested that supplementation of diet with lycopene with melatonin provided antioxidant defense with strong chemo preventive activity against DMBA-induced mammary tumors.