›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 480-484.

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The effect of melatonin on galectin-3, TNF-α, and IL-1β in newborn rats brain damage after hypoxia-ischemia and its impact on long-term behavior 

QIAO Lili, SHEN Weiqin    

  1. (The Department of pediatrics, Songjiang Central hospital, Shanghai, China)
  • Received:2013-08-11 Online:2014-05-15 Published:2014-05-15

Abstract:  Objectives To investigate neuroprotective effect of melatonin on preterm rats brain damage after hypoxia-ischemia (HI). Methods In this study, 5-day-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Normal saline ()group, melatonin group, HI+NS group and HI+melatonin group. HI was conducted by unilateral ligation of the left common carotid artery (ischemia) and 50 min of hypoxia. Melatonin was injected at a dose of 5mg/kg intraperitoneally three times: before ischemia, after hypoxia and 24 h after the second dose. The pups were sacrificed at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 w after HI; for galectin-3 cells count at 72 h and 7 w; TNF-α, IL-1β protein were measured in 24 h and 72 h after HI; and fear condition and elevated plus maze were tested in 7 w after HI. Results The number of galectin-3- positive cells was lower after melatonin treatment than vehicle treatment in 72 h and 7 w after HI (all P<0.05). TNF-α protein and IL-1β protein both increased at 24 h and 72 h after HI, and reduced after melatonin treatment (all P<0.05). Melatonin treatment improved memory ability and learning ability, reduced anxiety in 7 w after HI. Conclusion Melatonin has long-term and short-term protective effect on developing brain damage after HI.