Abstract
This study examined the role of melatonin to reduce radiation-induced apoptosis in rat's cervical spinal cord. A number of rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) group that was treated with intraperitonial injection of melatonin; (3) group that got melatonin 30 min prior to cervical spinal cord gamma irradiation at a dose of 22 Gy; and (4) group that was given an intraperitonial injection of vehicle and the spinal cord radiation. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was evaluated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Radiation-induced apoptosis was preceded by an increase in Bax gene expression. There was no evidence of radiation-induced apoptosis in the spinal cord of melatonin-treated animals. These findings suggest that melatonin has protective effects against spinal cord radiation-induced apoptosis through regulation of Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Thus, one possible role of melatonin in prevention of spinal cord injury is to block radiation-induced apoptosis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
