RESUMO
Objective: To evaluate protective role of melatonin against methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology Army Medical College, duration of the study was, from Apr to Aug 2016
Material and Methods: Eighteen mice were randomly divided into three groups [n=6]. Group [Gp]-1 received normal saline. Gp-2 received single intraperitoneal injection of methotrexate [MTX] while Gp-3 received melatonin along with MTX. Blood samples for measuring serum alanine amino transferase [ALT], aspartate amino transferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] along with liver samples for hepatic histological examination were taken after 24 hours of last dose
Results: In Gp-2 MTX there was significant rise in serum ALT, AST and ALP as compared to its control gp [p<0.05]. There was significant attenuation of serum ALT, AST and ALP with protective Gp-3 [MTX + Melatonin] when compared with Gp-2 [p<0.05]. The histopathological findings in the liver of mice of Gp-2 MTX showed mild fatty changes which were markedly reduced in mice treated with melatonin along with MTX though minimal inflammation was seen
Conclusion: Melatonin has hepatoprotective potential when administered along with methotrexate