Protective effect of melatonin on certain behavioral and biochemical alterations induced by sleep-deprivation in mice

Objective: To explore the effect of melatonin on the behavioral and biochemical parameters in sleep-disturbed mice.
Materials and Methods: Male Laca mice (n=6-9/Group) were sleep deprived for 48-hours using grid suspended over water method. Melatonin was administered orally for 5 days (three day before 48-hours sleep deprivation. All the biochemical tests were performed in brain homogenates on fifth day immediately after behavioral observations.
Results: Sleep deprivation caused rapid loss of body weight, reduction in locomotor activity, and severe anxiety in animals. Biochemically, sleep deprivation increased lipid peroxidation, nitrite and deplete reduced glutathione and catalase activities in the brains of mice which was significantly as compared to naοve animals (without sleep deprivation). Pre-treatment with melatonin (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly improved body weight, locomotor activity, and anxiety in animals as compared to control (48-hours sleep-deprived mice). In addition, melatonin also significantly decreased lipid peroxidation, nitrite levels and reversed the depleted catalase and glutathione activity.
Conclusion: Melatonin has protective action against sleep deprivation-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations.