Molecular Investigation of Effects of Antioxidants onBrain Tissue

Nowadays, there is an unfortunate increasein exposure to free radicals due to manyenvironmental, lifestyle, and pathologicalsituations. The brain is especially susceptible tofree radical attack since it is rich inpolyunsaturated fatty acids and consumes very highamounts of oxygen. In the current study, the effectsof melatonin, lipoic acid and Vitamin E on rat brain tissue were investigated via Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to understand theirinteractions with biological molecules. It isshown that melatonin disorders and decreases thedynamics of lipids and induces a strengthening in thehydrogen bonding between the functional groups ofboth melatonin and the polar parts of lipids and/orwater at physiological temperatures. Lipoic acid alsoslightly disorders the acyl chains of phospholipids,while strengthening the hydrogen bonding of theinterfacial region of phospholipids. However, the results show a stabilizing effect of vitamin E on the state-of-order of the lipid bilayer. This study provides a better understandingof the interactions between antioxidants andbiological systems.