[Effect of pharmacological stimulation of melatonin receptors on renal function in aging.]

The aim of the study was to study ion exchange, as well as water and nitrogen excretion function of the kidneys in rats under the influence of pharmacological stimulation of melatonin receptors. The experiment was conducted on male rats, which were divided into 2 groups. The first group was a control group (n=35) and was kept in standard vivarium conditions. Animals of the second group received melatonin along with drinking water throughout their lives (n=35). The study was conducted in compliance with the international principles of the Helsinki Declaration on Humane Treatment of Animals. According to the blood and urine analysis, water consumption, the volume of diuresis, the content of creatinine, urea, sodium and potassium ions in urine and blood were determined. Based on the data obtained, the parameters of water-salt metabolism were calculated. The data obtained as a result of the study were subjected to statistical processing. As a result of the experiment, a decrease in the functional abilities of the kidneys was noted in rats both in the control group and in the group of animals treated with melatonin. However, data analysis shows that rats treated with melatonin had higher values of indicators of water-releasing, ion-regulating and nitrogen-releasing kidney functions compared with intact animals. Thus, long-term use of exogenous melatonin led to more stable functioning of the kidneys and water-salt metabolism in old animals compared with the control group.