Impact of Pheophytin A, L-Carnitine and Melatonin on Serum Levels of Malondialdehyde, Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia/ Reperfusion Injury

Background and Objective: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a complex pathological process where the temporary interruption and subsequent restoration of blood flow to the brain cause significant oxidative stress, exacerbating neuronal damage. This study aims to investigate the neuroprotective effects of pheophytin A, L-carnitine and melatonin using a rat model for cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, focusing on their influence on oxidative stress markers, specifically malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male albino rats were assigned to six groups: Control, sham-operated, saline pretreated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and pheophytin A, L-carnitine, or melatonin pretreated I/R groups. The experimental procedure involved anesthetizing animals with thiopental sodium and performing bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries to induce ischemia for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 4 hrs. Blood samples were collected, centrifuged to separate serum and then diluted 1000-fold for analysis. Serum levels of SOD, GPx and MDA, were measured post-surgery using ELISA kits, with absorbance readings taken at 450 nm after several incubation and washing steps. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc test in IBM SPSS v28, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Results: Pheophytin A, L-carnitine and melatonin effectively protect against oxidative stress induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Pre-treatment with these compounds led to significant increases in antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD and GPx) and a notable reduction in MDA levels. Conclusion: These findings suggest that all three compounds exhibit similar protective effects against oxidative stress in I/R injury, highlighting their potential as therapeutic strategies for ischemic brain disorders.