Protective effects of melatonin in cisplatin-induced cardiac toxicity: possible role of BDNF-TNF-α signaling pathway

PURPOSE: The present study explored the role of melatonin in cisplatin-induced cardiac injury along with the possible role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in melatonin-mediated effects. METHODS: Wistar rats were administered cisplatin (10 mg/kg), and cardiac injury was assessed by measuring the levels of cardiac troponin (cTnT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-1).The extent of apoptosis was measured by measuring caspase-3 (pro-apoptotic) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic) in hearts. The levels of BDNF, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and reduced glutathione were measured in heart. Melatonin (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered for 15 days, and the role of BDNF was identified by co-administering BDNF inhibitor, ANA-12 (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg). RESULTS: Melatonin attenuated cTnT and LDH-1 levels along with reduction in caspase-3 and increase in Bcl-2. It also increased cisplatin-induced decrease in BDNF, increase in TNF-α and decrease in reduced glutathione levels. Moreover, ANA-12 abolished the cardioprotective effects, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of melatonin suggesting the role of BDNF in melatonin-mediated effects in cisplatin-induced cardiac injury. CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin is useful in cisplatin-induced cardiac injury, which may be due to an increase in BDNF, decrease in inflammation and increase in antioxidant activities.