Protective effects of melatonin on renal failure in pinealectomized rats.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects melatonin on renal function.


METHODS
The histological appearance of the kidney and malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione and superoxide dismutase contents were determined. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were also assayed. Rats were divided as: Sham, pinealectomized (Px) and pinealectomized and treated with melatonin.


RESULTS
In Px group, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were elevated when compared with the sham group. The Px group exhibited reduced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content. All of these harmful changes were restored by melatonin. Melatonin also ameliorated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels related to renal injury. The score for glomerular, tubular and interstitial changes was significantly higher in the Px group. Melatonin supplementation significantly reduced these parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
This protective effect may be associated with both melatonin's lipophilic and hydrophilic effects, thus providing on-site protection against free radical mediated damage.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. hparlakpinar@hotmalila.com
Hakan
H
Parlakpinar
Ahmet
A
Acet
Mehmet
M
Gul
Eyup
E
Altinoz
Mukaddes
M
Esrefoglu
Cemil
C
Colak
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin