Efeito da melatonina sobre o estresse oxidativo nas células do muco cervical

Abstract

Introduction: Oxidative stress is the imbalance between oxidative activity and the body's antioxidant defense capacity. The evaluation of oxidative stress is important for research in several areas of medicine, because it causes biological alterations, such as cellular and molecular damage, that can lead to pathophysiological conditions. Cervical mucus is a liquid secretion produced by the cervix acting as a physical protection preventing the entry of bacteria into the uterine environment and as indicative of the normality of hormonal influence. Melatonin is produced primarily by the pineal gland and is a neurohormone acting through G protein-linked receptors in various areas of the central and peripheral nervous system. It is involved in a variety of immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant and chronobiotic functions. Objective: In this way the objective of this work will be to evaluate the oxidative stress in the cervical mucus through the concentration of the superoxide anion in the presence of melatonin. Materials and methods: The material was previously collected by qualified professionals, in partner clinics taking advantage of the normal demand of the establishment. The samples were processed by the liquid-based cytology method and evaluated for the presence of metaplastic cells. The cytology-positive samples were typed for the presence of HPV by the electrochemiluminescence method (COBAS). Samples were dosed before and after melatonin stimulation as to superoxide anion concentration. Results and discussion: As in other pathologies and viral infections, HPV-infected cells had higher superoxide anion concentration than uninfected cells. After melatonin stimulation, the HPV positive samples showed reduction of the anion concentration to values close to normal cells, due to the antioxidant capacity of MEL. Normal cells had lower reduction of superoxide anion levels after melatonin stimulation, since they were not submitted to oxidative stress promoted by the presence of HPV. Conclusion: we concluded that melatonin decreased the superoxide anion concentration in the uterine cervix cells by positively modulating oxidative stress.