Effect of Melatonin on Hemolysis Induced by Cyclosporine

Kwak, Chun Sik; Mun, Kyo Cheol; Suh, Seong Il

Abstract

Hemolysis is one of the side effects of cyclosporine(CsA). Some experimental and clinical data have strongly suggested that CsA-induced hemolysis is resulted from the increased production of free radical species by CsA. Melatonin, a pineal secretory product, acts as a highly efficient free radical scavenger. Thus, melatonin may have a protective effect on the CsA-induced hemolysis. To test this hypothesis, the final concentration of 4.2x106/mL with human erythrocytes was incubated in test tube at 37 degrees C water bath with 1.67 mg/mL of CsA and 72 nmol/mL of melatonin. The degree of hemolysis and the amount of malondialdehyde which gives an indirect index of oxidative injury were measured in group 1 containing only isotonic buffer solution, in group 2 containing only CsA, and in group 3 containing both CsA and melatonin. The degrees of hemolysis in group 2 were higher than those of group 1. The degrees of hemolysis in group 3 were higher than those of group 1, and lower than those of group 2. The amounts of malondialdehyde in group 2 were higher than those of group 1. The amounts of malondialdehyde in group 3 were higher than those of group 1, and lower than those of group 2. These results indicate that the direct contact of erythrocytes with CsA results in free radical mediated hemolysis and the hemolysis by CsA can be prevented with melatonin.