[Protective effects of melatonin on ischemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle].
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we investigated the antioxidant protective effects of melatonin on skeletal muscles of Wistar albino-type rats with acute ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.


METHODS
Twenty-eight Wistar albino-type male rats weighing between 334 to 422 g were included in this experimental study. The rats were randomly allocated into three groups including sham, I/R and I/R + melatonin groups, respectively. Limb ischemia was achieved by clamping femoral arteries. After a two-hour ischemia period followed by 1.5-hour reperfusion, muscle samples were collected for biochemical analysis and histopathological examination.


RESULTS
Muscle tissues of I/R groups revealed significantly higher antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) activities, and increased levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyl content compared to the control group (p<0.001). Levels of these parameters in muscle revealed significant reductions in the I/R + melatonin group compared to the I/R group (p<0.001). Histopathological examination of ischemic muscles in the I/R group showed significant degeneration and inflammation compared to the control group whereas melatonin administered ischemic muscles showed significant reduction in degeneration and inflammation compared to the I/R group (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
In the present skeletal muscle acute I/R injury model, protective effects of melatonin against reperfusion injury have been revealed. We suggest that the protective effect of melatonin against I/R damage in cases of extremity injuries with acute vascular compromise, extremity surgery with prolonged tourniquet time and acute compartment syndrome should be investigated with clinical trials.
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey. drmehmeterdem@gmail.com
Mehmet
M
Erdem
Bora
B
Bostan
Taner
T
Güneş
Fatih
F
Özkan
Cengiz
C
Sen
Hüseyin
H
Özyurt
Reşit Doğan
RD
Köseoğlu
Hasan
H
Erdoğan
D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008550:Melatonin