The Mitigating Effect of Melatonin Against Radiation-Induced Inflammation and Disturbance of Reproductive Hormones in Female Albino Rats.

Objectives

Melatonin has been documented as an antioxidant agent. Numerous investigations have documented melatonin's radioprotective impact; however, investigation of its role post-irradiation requires further studies. Thus, the present study investigated melatonin's mitigating effect against radiation-induced alteration in the ovaries and reproductive hormones in female albino rats.

Methods

Melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight, i. p.) was administered to the animals for 7, 11, and 15 days after whole-body exposure to 4 Gy γ-radiation.

Results

The results demonstrated that melatonin has significantly attenuated the radiation-induced oxidative stress in the ovary, manifested by a decrease in protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in conjunction with an increase in total antioxidant capacity. In addition, melatonin has alleviated the radiation-induced increase of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrotic factor alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 beta) and caspase-3 levels in the serum. These results were accompanied by a noticeable improvement in serum E2-estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone compared to their respective levels in the irradiated group.

Conclusion

It could be concluded that melatonin is an effective agent for minimizing the deleterious impacts of radiation on the ovaries and reproductive hormones through synergistic interdependence between anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities.