The Effects of Melatonin on the Bladder in the Application of Low and High Dose Rate Radiotherapy in the Abdominopelvic Region in Rats

Abstract

Background: To compare the changes caused by low and high dose rate radiotherapy in the bladder tissue of rats and to examine the effect of melatonin on the bladder tissue.Materials and Methods: 40 adult rats were randomly divided into five groups with 8 rats in each group. Radiotherapy and melatonin treatment were not applied to group 1 (G1) control group rats. A single dose of 8 Gy and 400 MU/min radiotherapy was applied to G2 and G3 group rats. A single dose of 8 Gy and 1400 MU/min radiotherapy was applied to G4 and G5 group rats. G3 and G5 group (treated groups) rats were given 50 mg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally 15 minutes before the radiotherapy application. Rats were sacrificed under anesthesia and bladder tissues were removed. Histopathological examination was performed on the samples stained with hematoxylin eosin and toluidine blue.Results: Number of mast cells was increased in G2 and G4 (p<0.01). In addition, edema and vascular congestion were observed in these groups. In G3 and G5, acute phase markers decreased compared to radiotherapy received groups. Conclusion:Bladder tissue degradation was observed in G2 and G4 compared to the control group. However, there was no difference in bladder tissue between the groups given two different doses. The acute phase markers of edema, number of mast cells, inflammatory cell infiltration, and vascular congestion in the bladder tissue of the groups administered melatonin decreased.