Neuroprotective effect of melatonin against ethanol-induced damage in rat brain stem

ABSTRACT

Chronic ethanol administration has been found to have neuronal damaging effect through free radical generation. The aim of this study is to determine the possible neuroprotective effect of melatonin [MLT] against ethanol induced neuronal damage in the brain stem of male albino rats. Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups control group, 35% ethanol-treated group and melatonin [l0mg/kg I. P. for 7 consecutive days] pre-treated ethanol group. Administration of ethanol [35%] orally in drinking water for 30 consecutive days decreased glutathione [GSH], dopamine [DA], norepinephrine [NE] and serotonin [5-HT] contents and superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity. The maximal percentage of decrease was 44%, 34%, 41%, 29% and 40%, respectively. On the other hand; there was a progressive increase in malondialdehyde [MDA] level and DNA fragmentation by 128% and 53%, respectively. Melatonin administration prior to ethanol significantly increased. GSH, DA, 5-HT, and NE contents in brain stem by 53%, 30%, 33%, 33% respectively and SOD activity by 35%. MDA level and DNA fragmentation were markedly reduced by 36% and 30%, respectively. Our data suggest that melatonin is capable of at least partially preventing ethanol -induced neurodegeneration in the brain stem of rats. This effect might be attributed to direct free radical scavenging properties and regulation of antioxidative enzyme activity of melatonin