Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2025

A Simple and Efficient Method for In Vivo Cardiac-specific Gene Manipulation by Intramyocardial Injection in Mice
Published on: April 16, 2018
Could melatonin prevent Vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in critically ill patients? A randomized, double-blinded
Saeid Abbasi1,2,3, Ehsan Bigharaz4, Shadi Farsaei4
1Anesthesiology and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
Previous research showed some clinical benefits regarding the nephroprotective effect of melatonin. So, this study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effect of oral melatonin on preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients who received vancomycin therapy in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Methods:
We performed a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study in an academic hospital. Adult patients admitted to the ICU who received vancomycin with normal gastrointestinal and kidney function were randomized into treatment or placebo groups. After that, enrolled patients received a tablet of melatonin (3 mg) or placebo twice daily for seven consecutive days. The occurrence of AKI was assessed by RIFLE criteria (by measurement of serum creatinine (SCr)) and plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentration. Moreover, other data related to renal functions and SOFA were also compared between groups.
Results:
A total of 90 patients were included in the study, while 21patients in the placebo group and 20 in the intervention group completed the study. There were no significant differences between groups regarding baseline SCr, BUN, urine output, NGAL, SOFA, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Our results showed that these differences remained insignificant after a 7-day follow-up between groups. However, the incidence of AKI was significantly lower in the melatonin group based on the NGAL cutoff (> 150 ng/mL).
Conclusion:
We detected a significant decrease in vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity incidence in patients receiving melatonin compared to placebo. However, more clinical trials in a larger population were required to confirm this result.
More Related Videos
11:17Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
11:00Methods to Inhibit Bacterial Pyomelanin Production and Determine the Corresponding Increase in Sensitivity to Oxidative Stress
Published on: August 31, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Chronopharmacokinetics: Circadian Rhythms and Influence on Drug Response
The time of drug administration is an important factor to consider, as it can influence the toxic dose of a drug. For example, a study conducted by Prins et al. in 1997 examined the effects of the timing of...
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management