Protective effect of melatonin on water avoidance stress induced degeneration of the bladder.
OBJECTIVE
The role of melatonin on chronic water avoidance stress (WAS) induced degeneration of bladder epithelium (urothelium) was investigated.


METHODS
Wistar albino rats were exposed to WAS for 2 hours daily for 5 days (WAS group). Before exposing them to WAS 10 mg/kg melatonin (WAS plus melatonin group) was injected intraperitoneally into the animals. Bladder samples were investigated with light and electron microscopy. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels were also measured in the bladder.


RESULTS
In the WAS only group an increased number of mast cells in the mucosa, ulcerated areas, vacuole formation and dilated perinuclear cisternae, and dilatation in the intercellular spaces in the urothelium were observed. In the WAS plus melatonin group relatively normal urothelial topography, a decreased number of mast cells in the mucosa, some dilatation between intercellular areas, regular perinuclear cisternae and tight junctions were observed. Increased lipid peroxidation and decreased glutathione levels in WAS rats were reversed by melatonin.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that melatonin reverses WAS induced degenerative changes in the bladder.
Cetinel
Sule
S
Department of Histology and Embryology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Haydarpaşa 34668, Kadikoy, Istanbul, Turkey. sulecet@superonline.com
Ercan
Feriha
F
Cikler
Esra
E
Contuk
Gazi
G
Sener
Göksel
G
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012038:Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin