The aim of this study was to assess the effect of melatonin and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL)
Material and methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to either sham operation or common BDL before treatment with ASA, melatonin or vehicle. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were evaluated.
Results: Our results have indicated that BDL caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation whereas a statistically insignificant decrease in GSH level and some of the antioxidant enzyme activities. Both MEL and ASA administrations, either separately or together, decreased MDA whereas co-administration of MEL with ASA increased GSH levels in BDL rats.
Conclusions: CAT activity and MEL level decreased in the liver tissues of rats with BDL after administration of either melatonin alone or with ASA. However, melatonin and ASA administration increases liver tissue GSH levels in BDL ligated rats