Effect of melatonin on serum cholesterol status with formation of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced liver injury in rats

Liver injury with cholestasis appeared 24 h, but not 12 h, after treatment of rats with alpha-naphthylisotiocyanate (ANIT) (75 mg/kg, i.p.). Serum total, free, and estrified cholesterol levels were unchanged at 12 h after ANIT treatment but increases in serum total and free cholesterol levels occurred at 24 h. Melatonin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) administered at 12 h after ANIT treatment significantly attenuated these increases at 24 h after the treatment. Thus, melatonin attenuates the disruption of serum cholesterol status with liver injury formation in rats treated with ANIT.