BACKGROUND: Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytripta-mine) is a free radical scavenger and a strong antioxidant, secreted by the pineal gland. In this study, we evaluated the effects of decreasing and increasing serum melatonin levels on malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in pancreatic tissue from rats with experimental acute pancreatitis.
METHODS: Experimental acute pancreatitis was induced in three groups of Wistar albino rats (10 animals per group) by pancreatic ductal ligation. The first group had only acute pancreatitis and served as the control. Surgical pinealectomy was added to acute pancreatitis in the second group, removing the source of endogenous melatonin (low melatonin levels group). The third group was given 0.1 ml daily intraperitoneal injections of 20 mg/ml melatonin solution for one week (high melatonin levels group). The effects of melatonin levels were evaluated by comparison of the levels of MDA, SOD, and GS in pancreatic tissue.
RESULT: We found that intraperitoneal melatonin injections decreased the levels of MDA and increased the levels of SOD and GSH in pancreatic tissue.
CONCLUSION: Exogenous melatonin has a preventive effect on lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage in acute pancreatitis.