Increase of the benzothiazole moiety content of pheomelanin pigment after endogenous free radical inducement

Pheomelanin, the sulfurated form of melanin pigment, is known to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity. Previous studies have shown a conversion of the benzothiazine moiety of pheomelanin to the benzothiazole moiety under heat or energetic radiation exposure, but it is unknown whether endogenous conditions can also produce this structural change. Here we experimentally induced an endogenous free radical production by exposing male zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata to diquat dibromide in drinking water during the development of pheomelanin-pigmented flank feathers. The benzothiazine-to-benzothiazole ratio of feather pheomelanin decreased more and was significantly lower in diquat-treated birds than in controls. Therefore, endogenous free radicals, and not only environmental radiation, can also promote structural changes in pheomelanin. While it was previously assumed that benzothiazine is responsible for the redox reaction of pheomelanin, recent findings suggest that benzothiazole has a greater ability to deplete antioxidants. It should therefore be considered the possibility that the supplementation of antioxidants to limit the effects of endogenous free radicals can contribute to prevent melanoma, a disease that is favored by oxidative stress produced by pheomelanin.