• Rafael Bruck, Hussein Aeed, Yona Avni, Haim Shirin, Zipora Matas, Mark Shahmurov, Ilana Avinoach, Galina Zozulya, Nir Weizman, and Ayala Hochman.
• Department of Gastroenterology, The E. Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 58100, Israel. rbruck@wolfson.health.gov.il
• J. Hepatol. 2004 Jan 1; 40 (1): 86-93.

Background/AimsFree radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute liver injury. The aim of our study was to investigate whether melatonin, a potent free radical scavenger could prevent fulminant hepatic failure in rats.MethodsLiver damage was induced by two consecutive injections of thioacetamide (TAA, 300 mg/kg/i.p.) at 24 h intervals. Treatment with melatonin (3 mg/kg/daily, i.p) was initiated 24 h prior to TAA.ResultsTwenty-four h after the second TAA injection, serum liver enzymes and blood ammonia were lower in rats treated with TAA+melatonin compared to TAA (P<0.001). Liver histology was significantly improved and the mortality in the melatonin-treated rats was decreased (P<0.001). The increased nuclear binding of nuclear factor kappa B in the livers of the TAA-treated rats, was inhibited by melatonin. The hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, protein carbonyls and inducible nitric oxide synthase were lower in the TAA+melatonin-treated group (P<0.01), indicating decreased oxidative stress and inflammation.ConclusionsIn a rat model of TAA-induced fulminant hepatic failure, melatonin improves survival and reduces liver damage and oxidative stress. The results suggest a causative role of oxidative stress in TAA-induced hepatic damage and suggest that melatonin may be utilized to reduce liver injury associated with oxidative stress.

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