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Melatonin protected against kidney impairment induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice

Mona E Elbanan1, Maggie E Amer1, Mohamed A El-Missiry1

  • 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.

Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology
|July 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin (MLT) protects against 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced kidney damage by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. This study shows MLT’s potential as a protective agent against chemotherapy-related renal impairment.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a chemotherapy drug with limited utility due to kidney injury caused by redox imbalance, inflammation, and apoptosis.
  • Melatonin (MLT) is a natural compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and a broad safety profile.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of melatonin against 5-fluorouracil-induced kidney impairment in a mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Male mice were administered 5-FU (25 and 100 mg/kg) with or without MLT (20 mg/kg).
  • Evaluated kidney function markers (blood urea, creatinine), histological structure, body weight, survival rate, hematological parameters, and kidney tissue markers (C-reactive protein, IL-6, caspase-3, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione).

Main Results:

  • MLT treatment normalized blood urea and creatinine levels, preserved kidney histology, and improved body weight and survival rates in 5-FU treated mice.
  • MLT reduced inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, IL-6) and apoptotic markers (caspase-3) in kidney tissue.
  • MLT inhibited lipid peroxidation and maintained antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and glutathione levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin demonstrates significant nephroprotective effects against 5-FU-induced renal injury.
  • MLT mitigates 5-FU toxicity by exerting anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant actions.
  • Melatonin shows promise as a therapeutic agent to prevent or reduce chemotherapy-induced kidney damage.
Keywords:
5-fluorouracilantioxidantshistopathologyinflammationkidney injurymelatonin

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