Protective effect of melatonin on cisplatin-induced liver injury in rats

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the protective effect of melatonin (Mel) on experimental hepatatoxicity induced by cisplatin (Cis). Materials and Methods: A total of 40 Wistar Albino rats were used. Control group (n = 10) daily 0.1 mg / kg isotonic solution (intraperitoneal) i.p. was administered. Cis group (n = 10) was given a single dose of i.p. Cis (7 mg/kg) was administered. Melatonin (Mel) group (n = 10) daily i.p. Mel (10 mg / kg) was administered. Cis + Mel group (n = 10) daily i.p. Mel (10 mg / kg) + single dose i.p. Cis (7mg / kg) was administered. On the 8th day of the experiment, liver tissues of rats were collected histologically and immunohistochemically for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) analysis. Analyzes were performed for the levels of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and albumin for liver function from the serum obtained from the blood. Results: It was observed that liver tissue histopathological score and TNF-α immunoreactivity increased significantly with cisplatin administration compared to the control group. We found that the histopathological score and TNF-α immunoreactivity were decreased in the group treated with melatonin, and the liver function enzymes ALT, AST, and LDH were significantly decreased compared to the cisplatin group. Albumin level, on the other hand, showed a significant improvement in the group treated with melatonin. Conclusion: Melatonin may play a protective role in hepatotoxicity caused by cisplatin by reducing inflammation and preventing the increase in liver enzymes.