AIM To investigate the effect of melatonin (MT) on immunological liver injury in mice. METHODS An immunological liver injury
model was established by injection of
lipopolysaccharide into
corynebacterium parvum-primed mice, while different dosage of MT was given at the different time intervals. The changes of plasma transaminase levels, the content of liver MDA, liver GSH-px activity and the proliferation of splenocytes were comparatively observed to evaluate the effects of MT on immunological liver injury. RESULTS When MT (0. 1～ 10. 0 mg·kg-1) was given during the evolution of the animal model, plasma transaminase levels were reduced (P＜0. 05 ～0. 01 ), the content of liver MDA was decreased (P ＜ 0.01) and liver GSH-px activity was partially restored, while Con A-induced proliferation of splenocytes was significantly suppressed (P＜0. 01). But the inhibitory effect of MT of immunological liver injury was not showed when it was given after the induction of the animal model. CONCLUSIONS MT has protective effect on immunological liver injury in mice, which may be due to its antioxidative action and immunological regulation.