Therapeutic benefit of melatonin in 5‐fluorouracil‐induced renal and hepatic injury

Abstract

Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity include increased oxidative stress and apoptosis; as a result, liver and kidney damage are related to its pathogenesis. These are significant side effects caused in cancer patients treated with 5‐FU. In the research, 25 rats were divided into five groups, including control, 5‐FU, and 5‐FU + 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/Kg melatonin (MEL), and the protective impact of MEL against 5‐FU‐induced hepatorenal damage in rats was investigated. 5‐FU caused significant harm, resulting in severe renal failure and histopathological changes. It also increased BUN, creatinine, and hepatic function markers levels while decreasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity. Additionally, 5‐FU led to a notable increase in malondialdehyde content. However, MEL co‐administration to rats reversed most biochemical and histologic effects. In the control and MEL+5‐FU groups, the values were comparable. The doses of MEL treatment had a significant positive impact on 5‐FU‐induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and kidney damage. Our data concluded that MEL has an ameliorative effect on hepatorenal damage caused by 5‐FU.