Abstract
Background:
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a xenobiotic that causes oxidative stress in various
organs in living organisms. Blood cells are also an endpoint where BPA is known to cause oxidative
stress. Blood cells, especially red blood cells (RBCs), are crucial for maintaining homeostasis and
overall wellbeing of the organism. They are highly susceptible to oxidative stress induced by xenobiotics.
However, there is limited data about the oxidative stress induced by BPA in blood, especially in
red blood cells. This study was carried out to evaluate BPA induced oxidative stress in human RBCs in
vitro and its amelioration by melatonin.
Objective:
To find if melatonin exerts a protective effect on the oxidative stress induced by the BPA in
human red blood cells in vitro.
Methods:
The erythrocyte suspensions (2 ml) were divided into six groups and treated with 0, 50,
100, 150, 200, and 250 μg/ml of BPA. Another set of erythrocyte suspension with similar BPA treatment
and 50 μM Melatonin per group was also set. Incubations lasted for 12 hrs in the dark. Lipid
peroxidation, glutathione, glutathione reductase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were measured as
indicators of oxidative stress.
Results:
BPA caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. A decrease in GSH levels was also
observed. The activities of all the studied antioxidants also decreased with BPA treatment. Melatonin
was seen to mitigate the oxidative stress induced by BPA.
Conclusion:
Treatment of red blood cells with BPA caused an increase in oxidative stress, while melatonin
decreased the induced oxidative stress.