Effect of melatonin on the relationship between lipid peroxidation and proteolytic activity in basal nuclei of rat brain during acute hypoxia.

We studied the effect of melatonin on the relationship between LPO intensity and proteolytic activity in basal nuclei (caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, amygdaloid complex, and nucleus accumbens septi) of rat brain during acute hypobaric hypoxia. Acute hypoxia was accompanied by LPO activation and increase in proteolytic activity. It should be emphasized that the intensity of proteolysis was higher in structures responding by more pronounced LPO activation (nucleus accumbens septi and globus pallidus). Intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg melatonin 30 min before acute hypoxia inhibited LPO and prevented the increase in proteolysis in basal nuclei of the brain. The effect of melatonin was most pronounced in basal nuclei highly sensitive to acute hypoxia.