title: The Effects of Melatonin on Ethylene Glycol-induced Nephrolithiasis: Role on Osteopontin mRNA Gene Expression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the protective effects of melatonin (Mel) on an ethylene glycol (EG)-induced nephrolithiasis model in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups: control, EG, prevention Mel (Mel + EG + Mel), and therapeutic Mel (EG + Mel). EG (0.75%) was added to drinking water to create nephrolithiasis model. The EG group received EG and the Mel + EG + Mel group received both EG and Mel for 8 weeks. In the EG + Mel group, EG is given for 8 weeks and Mel is given for the last 4 weeks of the experiment. At the end of experimental period, urine, blood samples, and tissues were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 24-hour urine samples, calcium, citrate, and creatinine levels were decreased and oxalate levels were increased in the EG group, whereas Mel prevention and Mel treatment reversed these parameters back to control levels. Malondialdehyde, glutathione activities, myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase levels, and caspase-3 activity showed improvements in the Mel-treated groups when compared with the EG group. 8-Hydroxydeoxyguanosine, matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase activity, and osteopontin mRNA expression were elevated in the EG group and decreased back to control levels in the Mel + EG + Mel and EG + Mel groups. Histological examination showed improvement in the Mel-treated groups when compared with the EG group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mel can prevent crystalluria and kidney damage due to crystal formation and aggregation. It can be considered as a potential prophylactic and protective agent in high-risk patients with urinary stone formation or recurrence if supported by further clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tarik Emre
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Sener
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Goksel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sener
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ozge
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cevik
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pinar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eker
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Histology & Embryology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sule
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cetinel
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Tenon University Hospital, Pierre & Marie Curie University, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Traxer
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yiloren
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanidir
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Urology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: cakbal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Akbal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019855:Ethylene Glycol / Q000633:toxicity; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053495:Osteopontin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D053495:Osteopontin; D019855:Ethylene Glycol; D008550:Melatonin