FIGURE 10.

Effects of melatonin on radiation-induced changes on endothelial cell permeability and VE-cadherin internalization. (A) HUVECs were seeded onto 0, 1% collagen-coated 24-well insert wells until they reached full confluence. Then, VEGF 4 ng/ml was added to the plates and inserts and they were radiated. After 24 h, FITC-dextran solution was added and its passage into the lower chamber was measured at 90 min. Data are expressed as the percentage of the control group (Mean ± SEM). a, p < 0.05 vs C; and b, p < 0.01 vs R. (B) HUVECs grown on coverslips were irradiated and, after 24 h, processed for immunofluorescence studies of the internalization of VE-cadherin as described in material and methods. C, control; M, melatonin; and R, radiation.