HYPERLIPIDEMIC NEPHROPATHY INDUCED BY ADRIAMYCIN - EFFECT OF MELATONIN ADMINISTRATION

The effect of melatonin (MEL) on the nephropathy and the oxidative str ess induced by a single and high dose of Adriamycin (AD) has been stud ied in Wistar male rats. MEL (50 mu g/kg/day) was injected intraperito neally 3 and 7 days, respectively, before and after AD injection (20 m g/kg i.p.). Trunk blood was drawn and triglycerides, total cholesterol , phospholipids, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea, creatinin e, total protein, lipoperoxides, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase activity (CAT) were determined in serum. In kidney homoge nates, lipoperoxides, GSH, and CAT were measured as well as total prot ein in urine. AD administration resulted in hyperlipidemia and high-gr ade proteinuria and a marked increase in serum lipoperoxides, urea, an d creatinine. In the kidney, the increase in lipoperoxides was accompa nied by a significant decrease of GSH and CAT. The efficiency of MEL w as specially remarkable in restoring GSH, CAT, and proteinuria to the levels of controls. These results confirm the involvement of free radi cals in the pathogenesis of nephrotoxicity induced by AD. Likewise, th ey show the high antioxidative power of MEL and its marked effect on t he prevention and suppression of this nephropathy.