[Protective effects of melatonin on ischemia-reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle]

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant protective effects of melatonin on skeletal muscles of Wistar albino-type rats with acute ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Twenty-eight Wistar albino-type male rats weighing between 334 to 422 g were included in this experimental study. The rats were randomly allocated into three groups including sham, I/R and I/R + melatonin groups, respectively. Limb ischemia was achieved by clamping femoral arteries. After a two-hour ischemia period followed by 1.5-hour reperfusion, muscle samples were collected for biochemical analysis and histopathological examination.

Muscle tissues of I/R groups revealed significantly higher antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase) activities, and increased levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyl content compared to the control group (p<0.001). Levels of these parameters in muscle revealed significant reductions in the I/R + melatonin group compared to the I/R group (p<0.001). Histopathological examination of ischemic muscles in the I/R group showed significant degeneration and inflammation compared to the control group whereas melatonin administered ischemic muscles showed significant reduction in degeneration and inflammation compared to the I/R group (p<0.001).

In the present skeletal muscle acute I/R injury model, protective effects of melatonin against reperfusion injury have been revealed. We suggest that the protective effect of melatonin against I/R damage in cases of extremity injuries with acute vascular compromise, extremity surgery with prolonged tourniquet time and acute compartment syndrome should be investigated with clinical trials.