Effects of melatonin on [Cu2+] and [Zn2+] in serum of mice

    ZHANG Ning, ZENG Guang, LIU Fangª²E

    1Cadet Brigade Fquadron Seven, 2Center of Teaching Lab, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To investigate whether melatonin has distinct effects on [Cu2+] or [Zn2+] in serum of mice. METHODS: Mice raised in normal condition for one week were divided into 3 groups, with five in each group. Group A was kept in normal condition; Group B was raised with light both during the day and at night. Treated Group C was raised under the same conditions as Group B and was injected with melatonin everyday. The [Cu2+] and [Zn2+]in serum were measured by using atomic absorptiometry. RESULTS: The [Zn2+] in serum of group B (24.8¡À0.4) was lower than that of Group A (31.5¡À0.4) and Group C (28.2¡À0.5), (P<0.01). The [Cu2+] in serum of Group B (19.0¡À0.9) was higher than that of Group A (14.1¡À0.5) and Group C (17.0¡À0.6), (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Melatonin can increase the serum [Zn2+]but reduce the serum [Cu2+], which may be related to the upregulation of immunity function. ......