Melatonin: A hepatoprotective agent against radioiodine toxicity in rats

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to investigate the possible radioprotective effects of melatonin against hepatic radioiodine (RAI) toxicity. METHODS: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into three groups: untreated control (Group 1); oral radioiodine (RAI, 111 MBq) administrated rats (Group 2), and melatonin group (oral RAI and daily intraperitoneal injection of 12 mg/kg melatonin-Group 3). In the third group, melatonin administration was started two days before and continued for five days after RAI administration. Twenty-four hours after the administration of the last dose of melatonin, liver samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: Oxidative stress parameters demonstrated that melatonin treatment decreased the tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced the oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels, and increased the total-SH (sulphydryl) levels when compared with RAI group. The differences were statistically significant between these groups for all parameters (p < 0.05). The histopathological damage in the melatonin-treated group was significantly less than the damage in RAI group (p < 0.05 for all pathological parameters). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that melatonin reduced the harmful effects of RAI treatment on the liver. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities are likely to be involved in the mechanism underlying the radio-protective effects of melatonin.