Melatonin as a protective agent in spinal cord damage after gamma irradiation

Radiation causes serious damage to the spinal cord and several agents are used for protection. The aim of this study was to assess the neuro-radioprotective effect of melatonin on the cervical spinal cord. A sample of 32 male adult Wistar albino rats weighing 200–250g was used. They were divided into four groups of eight animals: control, melatonin (30mg/kg per day) and radiation (single Gamma dose of 10Gy) groups and the group that received radiation plus melatonin. After 72 hours, all rats were sacrificed for histopathological analysis of malondialdehyde, glutathione and protein biochemicals. Malondialdehyde and protein levels were decreased after melatonin treatment while glutathione level was increased (p<0.005). Overall histopathological changes were markedly decreased after melatonin treatment in comparison to radiation group (p<0.05). In conclusion melatonin may be useful in preventing the spinal cord against radiation toxicity due to its potential for free oxygen radical scavenging.