Melatonin ameliorates necrotizing enterocolitis in a neonatal rat model

Abstract Introduction We designed the present study to evaluate the efficacy of melatonin (M) on the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonatal rat model. Materials and Methods Immediately after birth, pups were weighed and randomized into 3 groups: NEC, NEC + M, and control. Necrotizing enterocolitis was induced by enteral formula feeding and exposure to hypoxia after cold stress at 4°C and oxygen. The NEC + M group received 10 mg/kg M daily for 3 days after the first day of the NEC procedure. The pups were killed on the fourth day, and their intestinal tissues were harvested for biochemical and histopathologic analysis. Blood samples were also obtained from the pups. Results The mortality rate and weight loss were highest in the NEC group. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content were significantly increased, whereas superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased in the NEC-treated pups. Melatonin prevented these changes, with these values being similar to control levels in the NEC + M group. Nitrate plus nitrite levels and serum tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-1 β were increased in the NEC group, and histopathologic injury score in the NEC group was significantly higher than that in the NEC + M group. Conclusion Melatonin significantly reduced the severity of NEC in our study.