BACKGROUND:The present objective was to identify effects of early melatonin application on healing of anastomotic wound and inflammation in an experimental sepsis model. METHODS: A total of 60 Wistar albino rats were divided into 2 groups. Cecal ligation puncture (CLP) and colonic resection anastomosis were performed on both the control group and the melatonin treatment group. Both groups were divided into 3 subgroups consisting of 10 rats each. One subgroup from each group underwent re-laparotomy at the 16 th hour, the next on the 3 rd day, and the final subgroup on the 7 th day. Presently evaluated were effects of melatonin treatment of early sepsis on interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon gamma (INF-γ), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, as well as burst pressures (BPs), collagen and hydroxyproline (OHP) content of the anastomotic segments, histopathologic healing, immunohistochemical expressions, CD34, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). RESULTS: IL-6 and INF-γ levels of the treatment group showed a significant decrease at the 16 th hour and an increase on the 3 rd and 7 th postoperative days. IL-10 levels were significantly higher at the 16 th hour and significantly lower on the 3 rd and 7 th postoperative days in the control group (p<0.001 for each). The treatment group also showed significantly higher capillary permeability, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposits (p<0.001 for each). CD34 expression was significantly increased in the treatment group on the 7