Pleiotropic protective roles of melatonin against aluminium-induced toxicity in rats.

This study aimed to investigate the potential effects of melatonin on aluminium-induced toxicity in a rat model using a set of biochemical, inflammatory, oxidant, lipid profile criteria and hepatic integrity (verified by hematoxylin-eosin staining). The results indicated that AlCl3 administration during 60 days (100 mg/kg b.w.) significantly increased the activities of transaminases AST and ALT by 46% (p < 0.001) and 21% (p < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by 30% (p < 0.001), the levels of bilirubin by 85% (p < 0.001), total cholesterol by 115% (p < 0.001), triglycerides by 130% (p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol by 413% (p < 0.001), oxidized LDL (oxLDL) by 51% (p < 0.01) and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100) by 63% (p < 0.001), as compared to controls. The inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-6) were significantly increased (p < 0.001), associated to higher lipid peroxidation (TBARS) level. Also, both plasma HDL-cholesterol level and hepatic LDL receptors (p < 0.01) expression and antioxidant protein (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities are decreased. Those physiological disturbances were, however, noted to alleviate following the co-administration of melatonin (10 mg/kg b.w.). Overall, the present study is the first to provide evidence on the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-lipidic and, hence, therapeutic effects of melatonin with regard to the control and prevention of aluminium-intoxication.

Protective effects of vitamins (C and E) and melatonin co-administration on hematological and hepatic functions and oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of vitamins (C and E)/melatonin co-administration on the hematologic and hepatic functions and oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg b.w. for 2 days) induced a significant increase of blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) associated with serious hematologic disorders (P < 0.01) evidenced by the decrease in the levels of red blood cell count (RBC) (-18 %), hematocrit (Ht) (-18 %), hemoglobin content (Hb) (-36 %), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (-17 %), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (-16 %). The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of diabetic rats were, however, noted to undergo significant increases by 42 % (P < 0.01), 134 % (P < 0.001), 27.5 % (P < 0.01), 147 % (P < 0.001), and 67 % (P < 0.01), respectively, as compared to the control animals. Furthermore, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were observed in the plasma and hepatic tissues of diabetic rats when compared to the controls. Interestingly, the treatment with vitamins (C, E) in combination with melatonin was noted to reduce the plasma levels of glucose, lower the MDA levels, and restore the hematologic parameters and biochemical and antioxidant levels of diabetic rats back to normal values, alleviating diabetes metabolic disorders in rats

Protective effects of vitamins (C and E) and melatonin co-administration on hematological and hepatic functions and oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the potential effects of vitamins (C and E)/melatonin co-administration on the hematologic and hepatic functions and oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (120 mg/kg b.w. for 2 days) induced a significant increase of blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) associated with serious hematologic disorders (P < 0.01) evidenced by the decrease in the levels of red blood cell count (RBC) (-18%), hematocrit (Ht) (-18%), hemoglobin content (Hb) (-36%), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) (-17%), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (-16%). The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and the plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of diabetic rats were, however, noted to undergo significant increases by 42% (P < 0.01), 134% (P < 0.001), 27.5% (P < 0.01), 147% (P < 0.001), and 67% (P < 0.01), respectively, as compared to the control animals. Furthermore, a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were observed in the plasma and hepatic tissues of diabetic rats when compared to the controls. Interestingly, the treatment with vitamins (C, E) in combination with melatonin was noted to reduce the plasma levels of glucose, lower the MDA levels, and restore the hematologic parameters and biochemical and antioxidant levels of diabetic rats back to normal values, alleviating diabetes metabolic disorders in rats.