AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN ON HISTOPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN LUNG TISSUE OF NICOTINE-EXPOSED RATS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1883Keywords:
Anti-inflammatory, Anti-oxidative, Lung tissue, Melatonin, NicotineAbstract
Background: Melatonin, a potent naturally occurring antioxidant plays a significant role in counteracting various toxins. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of melatonin on histopathological changes in lung tissues of nicotine-exposed rats. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at Isra University, Hyderabad during Feb-May 2024. Forty Wistar albino rats were used. Rats were evenly divided into four groups. Group A (control group) received only normal chow, Group B received nicotine hydrogen bitartarate 0.6 mg/Kg bodyweight daily intra-peritoneal, Group C received same dose of nicotine with melatonin 5 mg/Kg I/P daily, and Group-D received the same dose of nicotine with melatonin 10 mg/Kg I/P. Serum inflammatory and antioxidant markers were analysed along with the histopathological analysis. Results: A significant rise in haematological parameters was observed in Group B compared to the control (p<0.05). Group D showed more prominent decline in these parameters (p<0.05) compared to Group C. A significant rise in c-reactive protein levels (from 0.10±0.11 to 0.88±0.25 mg/dL) and fibrinogen levels (from normal 224.7±74 to 447.1±0.41 mg/dL) were observed in Group B rats. The anti-oxidative and tissue peroxidative makers (MDA, SOD and GSH) levels were lower in Group C and D compared to control group, however, Group B showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in these. Conclusion: Melatonin has a protective effect against inflammatory, oxidative and proliferative reactions resulting from nicotine to lung tissues.
Pak J Physiol 2026;22(1):28–32, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v22i1.1883
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