title: Protective effect of melatonin against radiation induced nephrotoxicity in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The degree of radiation injury to kidneys which are located within the limits of radiotherapy area is determined by the volume and the dose of radiation to which the organ is exposed. When the tolerance dose of the kidney is exceeded after a latent period of 6 months acute nephritis develops and after 18 months chronic nephritis ensues. Melatonin is known to prevent the oxidative injury of toxins and radiotherapy with its free radical scavenging capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study 8 weeks old 24 Sprague -Dawley rats were allocated into 4 groups: Control group; Radiotherapy group (20 Gy bilaterally in 5 fractions); Melatonin group (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and Melatonin+radiotherapy group (20 Gy Radiotherapy in 5 fractions+ melatonin 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally). After a follow-up period of 6 months BUN was determined in all groups. After rats were euthanized the kidneys were removed for histopathological examination under both light and electron microscopes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months follow-up, both at light and electron microscopy levels, the rats in radiotherapy+melatonin group were significantly protected against the radiation injury comparing to radiotherapy group (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was shown in this experimental model that melatonin has protective effects against radiation injury to kidneys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Trabzon Kanuni Training and Research Hospital, Trabzon, Turkey. ekucuktulu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kucuktulu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009400:Nephrosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D008550:Melatonin