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Obesity-related dysfunction of the aorta and prevention by melatonin treatment in ob/ob mice
Gaia Favero1, Claudio Lonati, Lorena Giugno
1Division of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
Abstract:
In this study, we hypothesized that melatonin administration can minimize alterations in aorta morphology in an animal model of obesity (ob/ob mice). The animals were divided into four groups: (i) control lean mice, (ii) control lean mice treated with melatonin, (iii) ob/ob mice and (iv) ob/ob mice treated with melatonin. The synthetic melatonin was dissolved in 1% ethanol and added to the drinking water from postnatal week 5-13 at a final dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day. Compared with the obese mice, melatonin intake was associated with a significant decrease in body weight and water consumption. Histological analysis showed that the aortic wall of ob/ob mice had a high Tunica media/lumen ratio and that the elastic fibers in the media layer appeared disrupted and degraded. Moreover, the aorta of ob/ob mice displayed a higher degree of collagen accumulation in the Tunica media compared to the normal aorta. The aorta of ob/ob mice treated with melatonin had a lower Tunica media/lumen ratio and collagen accumulation in comparison with untreated ob/ob mice. Our results showed that whereas melatonin had no apparent histological effects on the aorta in lean mice with normal weight, its administration in ob/ob mice can lead to a reduction in body weight and can ameliorate aorta histopathological dysfunction. This experimental study indicates an apparent protective role for melatonin on the aorta in obesity and melatonin could possibly be an effective tool in the management of obesity-related vascular complications.
Insights
Melatonin administration reduced body weight and improved aortic wall structure in obese mice. This suggests melatonin may protect against obesity-related vascular issues.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Endocrinology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Obesity is linked to detrimental changes in aorta morphology.
- Melatonin's potential role in mitigating obesity-induced vascular dysfunction is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of melatonin on aorta morphology in an animal model of obesity (ob/ob mice).
Main Methods:
- Four groups of mice were used: control lean, control lean with melatonin, obese (ob/ob), and obese with melatonin.
- Melatonin was administered orally from postnatal week 5-13 at 100 mg/kg/day.
- Aorta morphology was assessed via histological analysis, focusing on the Tunica media/lumen ratio and elastic fiber integrity.
Main Results:
- Melatonin treatment significantly decreased body weight and water consumption in obese mice.
- Obese mice exhibited increased Tunica media/lumen ratio and disrupted elastic fibers in the aorta.
- Melatonin administration ameliorated these aortic abnormalities in obese mice, reducing the Tunica media/lumen ratio and collagen accumulation.
- Melatonin had no significant histological effects on the aorta in lean mice.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin demonstrates a protective effect on the aorta in an obese animal model.
- Melatonin may be a potential therapeutic agent for managing obesity-related vascular complications.
