Protective Effect of Melatonin on Oxidative Stress Inducing Hair Follicle Injury in Scalded Rats

In a study conducted 15 years ago, researchers investigated the protective effect of melatonin on hair follicle cells in scalded rats. The study involved 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into three groups: scald group, treatment group, and sham group, each containing 6 rats. The scald and treatment groups were subjected to partial thickness scald on the back, while the treatment group was also injected with 10 mg/kg melatonin solution at specific intervals after scalding. The researchers found that the level of MDA, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly higher in the scald group compared to the sham and treatment groups. Conversely, the level of GSH, an antioxidant, was lower in the scald group. The apoptosis rate of hair follicle cells was also significantly higher in the scald group. The study concluded that there was a clear correlation between oxidative stress and the apoptosis rate of hair follicle cells in scalded rats, and that early administration of melatonin could potentially protect these cells by reducing oxidative stress.