Molecular Investigation of Effects of Antioxidants on Brain Tissue: An FTIR Spectroscopic Study

Nowadays, there is an unfortunate increase in exposure to free radicals due to many environmental, lifestyle, and pathological situations. The brain is especially susceptible to free radical attack since it is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and consumes very high amounts of oxygen. In the current study, the effects of melatonin, lipoic acid and Vitamin E on rat brain tissue were investigated via Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to understand their interactions with biological molecules. It is shown that melatonin disorders and decreases the dynamics of lipids and induces a strengthening in the hydrogen bonding between the functional groups of both melatonin and the polar parts of lipids and/or water at physiological temperatures. Lipoic acid also slightly disorders the acyl chains of phospholipids, while strengthening the hydrogen bonding of the interfacial 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 understanding of the interactions between antioxidants and biological systems.