Effect of melatonin on cerebral vasospasm following experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage

• Published in: Neurological research (New York) 2005-01, Vol.27 (1), p.77-82
• Main Authors: Aydin, M. Volkan, Caner, Hakan, Sen, Orhan, Ozen, Ozlem, Atalay, Basar, Cekinmez, Melih, Altinors, Nur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; APOPTOSIS; Apoptosis - drug effects; Basilar Artery - drug effects; Basilar Artery - pathology; Cell Count - methods; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells - pathology; Female; Male; MELATONIN; Melatonin - therapeutic use; Rabbits; SAH; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - complications; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage - pathology; VASOSPASM; Vasospasm, Intracranial - drug therapy; Vasospasm, Intracranial - etiology; Vasospasm, Intracranial - pathology
• ISSN: 0161-6412; 1743-1328
• DOI: 10.1179/016164105X18331

Object: The current study was undertaken to determine whether melatonin therapy reverses vasospasm and prevents apoptosis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation in an experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. Materials and methods: The rabbits were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1, SAH + melatonin (5 mg/kg/i.p. BID) simultaneously with SAH (n = 6); Group 2, SAH + melatonin (5 mg/kg/i.p. BID) treated 2 hours after SAH (n = 6); Group 3, control group (n = 4); Group 4, SAH only (n = 6). Light microscopic examinations of the basilar arteries were performed to demonstrate the pathophysiological changes of the arterial wall with hematoxylin- eosin. Apoptosis: Immunohistology using the ApopTag Peroxidase In Situ Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to demonstrate apoptosis in a cross section of basilary arteries. Apoptotic index was calculated as the number of the immunoreactive nuclei per total number of endothelial cells, and expressed as a percentage. Results: The results of measurements of diameters of the vessels between groups were significantly different (p = 0.028). While basilar arteries of the SAH only group showed 57% constriction, Groups 1 and 2 were calculated as 33 and 26% constriction, respectively, compared with the control group (p < 0.05). And also Groups 1 and 2 showed significant protection of apoptosis compared with Group 4. The difference between the four groups was tested by Kruskal-Wallis test and the significance between the two groups was tested by Mann- Whitney U-test. Conclusion: Melatonin with its strong antioxidant effect can prevent SAH-induced vasospasm and apoptosis of endothelial cells of vessels.