Özet:

Aluminium (Al) is a nonessential metal that exists widely throughout the environment, and acute and chronic diseases are associated to it increased biological availability. Melatonin (Mel) has been shown to be an effective antioxidant with antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-excitatory, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective and vasomotor effects. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Al exposure on liver tissue, and the potential protective effects of Mel on the Al exposed liver tissue. Wistar albino rats utilised were grouped as follows Group I: control group given normal saline intraperitoneally, group II: Mel control (injected 2% ethanol in normal saline subcutaneously), group III: rats injected 10 mg/kg Mel subcutaneously, group IV: rats administered 5 mg/kg Al2(SO4)3 intraperitoneally, group V: rats concurrently injected both Al2(SO4)3 and Mel. In the Al group, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels, myeloperoxidase, lactate dehydrogenase, thromboplastic activities, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities increased, while liver glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase activities decreased. From histological analysis, the control rat tissues exhibited normal histological appearances. In the group given solely Al, degenerative changes such as picnotic nuclei, lymphoid infiltrate, hyperemia, necrotic areas, vacuolization and sinusoidal dilatations were observed. These effects were reversed upon Mel administration. These findings indicate that Mel is a likely useful agent against hepatotoxicity in Al induced liver damage.

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