The effect of melatonin on lipid peroxidation during radiotherapy in female rats.
BACKGROUND
Because radiotherapy is one of the causes of primary or secondary ovarian failure, protection of ovarian functions in the patients receiving total body or pelvic radiotherapy is of importance. In this study, we investigated the role of melatonin in the oxidative damage in both whole body and ovaries, which is caused by radiotherapy.


METHODS
Eighteen female rats were divided into 3 groups, each of which consisted of 6 rats. First group was control group receiving no treatment, second group received total body radiotherapy (RT) by 2 x 360 cGy only and third group received radiotherapy plus melatonin. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both blood and ovarian tissue were detected as the indicator of free radical (FR) damage. Levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GPX) in blood were measured as the indicators of antioxidant level.


RESULTS
Radiotherapy caused a significant increase in the levels of MDA in blood and ovarian tissue (p < 0.001). However, MDA levels decreased in the radiotherapy plus melatonin group (p < 0.05). SOD and GPX levels decreased insignificantly in the radiotherapy only group while they increased in the radiotherapy plus melatonin group significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Melatonin, in rats, reduced the level of MDA, which is elevated by radiotherapy and increased the levels of SOD and GPX, which are involved in the antioxidant system.
Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, S. Demirel University, School of Medicine, Isparta/Turkey.
H
H
Kaya
N
N
Delibas
M
M
Serteser
E
E
Ulukaya
O
O
Ozkaya
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011878:Radiotherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D008550:Melatonin