Effects of melatonin, vitamin Cand E alone or in combination on lead-induced injury in liver and kidney organs of rats

Abstract

Context Lead is known to disrupt the biological systems by altering the molecular interactions, cell signaling, and cellular functions. Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E and their combinations against the lead induced hepatic and renal injuries in male rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty four adult male albino rats were used in this study. The experimental rats were randomlydistributed into nine groupsand they were treated for 10 weeks as the following: Group 1: Control rats, Group 2: Sodium acetate(0.1mg/L drinking water), Group 3: Lead acetate (Pb)(0.1mg/L drinking water), Group 4: Pb + Melatonin(60 mg of melatonin/kg diet), Group 5: Pb+ Vitamin E. (1000 I.U of vitamin E /kg diet),Group 6: Pb +Vitamin C (1mg of vitamin C/L drinking water), Group 7(Combination ): Pb +Melatonin + Vitamin E,Group 8 (Combination): Pb + Melatonin +Vitamin C, and Group 9(Combination): Pb +Vitamin E+ Vitamin C. Results: Significant elevations in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels wererecorded after10 weeksinPbexposedratsin comparison with control group. Melatonin, vitamin C and vitamin E caused significant reduction in serum MDA levels. Interestingly, the significant reduction in MDA level caused by melatonin-vitamin E combination was more than that caused by melatonin and vitamin E alone.Conclusion, long term lead-treated rats exhibited remarkable elevation in oxidative stress, which consequently causes liver and kidney injuries. These alterations were nearly restoredby the anti-oxidative effects of vitamin E alone or in combination with melatonin in comparison with melatonin, vitaminC and their combinations.