Minocycline Protection against Paraquat Toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

We determined the effect of long-term administration (12 days) of minocycline (Mino) on the oxidative stress induced by paraquat (PQ) in D. melanogaster. After intoxication with PQ (40 mM) for 36 hours, the intoxicated group was subdivided in three groups: PQ (no further treatment after PQ intoxication), PQ-Mino (treated with Mino [0.05 mM] for 12 days after intoxication) and PQ-Control (exposed to PQ and maintained in standard medium for 12 days after intoxication). Two additional groups, not treated with PQ, were added: Control and Mino. After 36 hours intoxication the concentrations of H2O2, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the PQ group were increased, but the levels of nitrite and glutathione (GSH) were reduced with respect to the Control. In the group PQ also were observed an increase in the concentrations of MDA, protein carbonyl and the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) compared with Control. The post-treatment by 12 days with minocycline (PQ-Mino) mitigated oxidative damage induced by PQ as evidenced by the reduction in the concentration of the oxidative stress markers and by decrease damage to the lipid membrane (MDA), protein (protein carbonyl), DNA (8-OHdG) and in an increase of the extension of the life cycle of the flies with respect to PQ-Control.