THE EFFECT OF MELATONIN ON RENAL FUNCTION OF IN RATS DURING ISCHEMIA/ REPERFUSION INJURY

Objective: Oxygen free radicals are considered to be imp orta nt comp onents involved in the pathophysiological tissue alterations observed during ischemia/reperfusion. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of melatonin, potent antioxidant, on kidney functions and damage during the experimental renal ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study we used 28 female wistar albino rats 200-250 g. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=7). Control group (C): They were fed with only standard rat diet and tap water. I/R group: Rats were subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Melatonin group (Mel): Melatonin (25 mg/ kg i.p) was administered. I/R+Mel group: Melatonin (25 mg/kg i.p) was administered 30 min prior to ischemia and immediately before the reperfusion period. Rats were subjected to 45 min of renal pedicle occlusion followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Urea, uric acid and levels of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in serum were evaluated. Results: Urea, uric acid creatinine, AST, and ALT levels in the I-R group were higher than those in C, Mel, and I/ R+Mel groups were found to be statistically significant (p< 0.001). In this case, renal I/R injury showed that the damage to the kidneys. Conclusions: These results show that treatment with Mel may prevent the kidney tissues damages due to ischaemia