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Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on MAM Induced Lung Injury and Lung Development in Mice Offspring
Maryam Azizi1, Parichehr Pasbakhsh2, Makan Sadr3
1Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Melatonin as an antioxidant agent can have an effective role in lung development. In this study, the effect of melatonin administration on lung injury in the neonate mice was assessed.
Materials And Methods:
Lung injury was induced by two injections of 15 mg/kg methylazoxymethanol (MAM) on gestational day 15 (E15). Pregnant BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control (CO), Melatonin (MEL), Luzindole (Luz), MAM, and MAM+MEL. Melatonin and luzindole were intra-peritoneally injected at a dose of 10 mg/kg (from E15 until delivery). Histopathological changes including: hemorrhage, neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis in the neonate lung were studied by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's Trichrome staining. Alveolarization and alveolar wall thickness were measured.
Results:
In histological examination, hemorrhage, neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis were seen in the MAM and Luz groups; however, these injuries were attenuated in the MAM plus melatonin group. Significant reduction of alveolarization was recorded in the MAM and Luz groups compared to the control group, while the alveolar wall thickness was significantly increased in these groups compared to control group.
Conclusion:
Administration of exogenous melatonin in pregnant mice could have a protective effect on the pulmonary development of neonates and could decrease lung injury in neonate mice.
Insights
Melatonin administration during pregnancy protected neonate mice from lung injury induced by methylazoxymethanol (MAM). Melatonin treatment reduced lung damage and improved alveolar development in offspring exposed to MAM in utero.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Melatonin, an antioxidant, plays a role in lung development.
- Lung injury in neonates can impair pulmonary development.
- Investigating melatonin's protective effects against lung injury is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of melatonin administration on lung injury in neonate mice.
- To evaluate melatonin's impact on pulmonary development following in-utero exposure to methylazoxymethanol (MAM).
Main Methods:
- Lung injury was induced in pregnant BALB/c mice using methylazoxymethanol (MAM) on gestational day 15.
- Mice were divided into Control, Melatonin, Luzindole, MAM, and MAM+Melatonin groups.
- Histopathological analysis (H&E, Masson's Trichrome) examined hemorrhage, neutrophils, fibrosis, alveolarization, and alveolar wall thickness.
Main Results:
- Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) induced hemorrhage, neutrophil infiltration, and fibrosis in neonate lungs.
- These injuries were significantly reduced by co-administration of melatonin.
- MAM exposure led to reduced alveolarization and increased alveolar wall thickness, which were ameliorated by melatonin.
Conclusions:
- Exogenous melatonin administration during pregnancy offers a protective effect on neonatal pulmonary development.
- Melatonin can decrease lung injury in neonate mice exposed to methylazoxymethanol (MAM).
- This suggests melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for preventing neonatal lung injury.
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