Pathophysiological and immunohistochemical analysis of pancreas after renal ischemia/reperfusion injury: protective role of melatonin.

To assess the remote pancreatic injury following renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment with melatonin on pancreatic structure and functions. 21 rats were divided equally into sham group, renal I/R group, and melatonin pre-treated renal I/R (Mel-I/R) group. Renal I/R significantly increased serum amylase, fasting glucose and decreased serum insulin in I/R versus sham group. Pancreatic levels of malondialdehyde and tumour necrosis factor alpha were significantly increased associated with diminished glutathione. Immunohistochemical and morphometric analysis revealed significant reduction in insulin immune reactivity, β-cell number, β-cells percentage/total islet cell, percentage area of reactive β-cells, and the average area of islets in I/R versus sham group. These changes were alleviated by pre-treatment with melatonin. Renal I/R produces significant impairment of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions together with histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric alterations. Pre-treatment with melatonin significantly mitigates such remote pancreatic injury.