Ultrastructural Evaluation of the Radioprotective Effects of Melatonin Against X-Ray-Induced Skin Damage in Albino Rats

In a 2005 study, the radioprotective effects of melatonin against X-ray-induced skin damage were evaluated using 60 Albino rats divided into five groups, including nonirradiated, X-ray irradiated (XRI), XRI pretreated with solvent, nonirradiated treated with melatonin, and XRI pretreated with melatonin. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that XRI skin exhibited signs of cell injury and increased metabolic activity, such as nuclear condensation, cytoplasm vacuolization, and organelle damage. However, these effects were significantly reduced or absent in the skin of XRI rats pretreated with melatonin. The study concluded that melatonin has the potential to minimize the harmful effects of X-ray irradiation, indicating its radioprotective properties, and suggested that further research is needed to explore clinical applications.