Study The Therapeutic Effect of Melatonin in Treatment of Periventricular Leukomalacia in Rat Model

Abstract

Background:Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is a form of white matter brain injury, which causes motor and cognitive deficits, and is frequently linked to preterm newborns. Inflammation and oxidative stress are important factors in the development of PVL. Brain injury may be minimised by melatonin, a neuroprotective hormone having anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. In order to evaluate melatonin's potential as a treatment alternative, this study examines its therapeutic benefits in a rat model of PVL.

Method:Rat pups were split into four groups after approval: test, disease control, treatment control, and negative control. On days 2, 4 and 6, 15 mg/kg of LPS was used to cause premature brain injury. The test group was given melatonin four hours following the last LPS treatment, whereas the negative control group was given saline. The pups' neurodevelopmental reflexes were examined for abnormalities, and on postnatal day 15, they were euthanized so that their brains could be examined using immunohistology and histopathology.

Results:The study showed that melatonin treatment significantly improved neurodevelopmental activity and reduced ventricular dilatation in the treatment group compared to the disease control group, indicating its potential neuroprotective effects.

Conclusion:This study found that melatonin therapy improved neurodevelopmental outcomes and reduced ventricular dilatation in a rat model of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective treatment. The results highlight melatonin's antioxidative properties and therapeutic promise for PVL.