Neuroprotective Effect of Two Natural Supplements

By CP Staff

The synergistic combination of selenium and melatonin protected rats against ischemia/reperfusion injury, according to a new study. During a stroke, the blood supply to the brain is reduced, resulting in reduced oxygen availability or ischemia of the tissue in the brain. When the oxygenated blood supply is restored (reperfusion), it often results in injury due to the production of free radicals, leading to oxidative damage and inflammation. The American Stroke Association reports that stroke is the third leading cause of death in Americans, with approximately 795,000 new or recurrent strokes occurring each year.

In this recently published study, researchers evaluated the effect of supplementation with the trace mineral selenium and the antioxidant hormone melatonin on ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. In this study, the rats were supplemented with selenium and melatonin 30 minutes prior to induction of ischemia, produced by blocking the middle carotid artery. The rats were then supplemented with selenium and melatonin again after normal blood supply to the brain was restored; the combined supplementation was continued for 3 days. The rats were then evaluated for behavioral activity and motor deficits. 

The study showed that supplementation with selenium and melatonin reduced oxidative stress and improved the ischemia/reperfusion-induced focal cerebral ischemia. Supplementation of selenium and melatonin also reduced expression of the inducible enzyme, nitric oxide synthase, which synthesizes nitric oxide that is converted to peroxynitrite, a very aggressive free radical molecule that is associated with very rapid oxidative damage.

Thus, the researchers stated, “In conclusion, we demonstrated that the pretreatment with selenium-melatonin at the onset of reperfusion, reduced post-ischemic damage, and improved neurological outcome following transient focal cerebral ischemia in male Wistar rat.”

Reference:

Ahmad A, Khan MM, Ishrat T, Khan MB, Khuwaja G, Raza SS, Shrivastava P, Islam F. Synergistic Effect of Selenium and Melatonin on Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Apr 1. Published Online Ahead of Print.