Aim: Free oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals have a significant role in early stage pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. In present experimental study effect of melatonin on malondialdehyde (MDA), the final product of lipid peroxidation, and amylase activity in rabbits with L- arginine – induced acute pancreatitis was investigated.

Material and Methods: Eighteen male New Zealand White rabbits (1400 to 1900 g ) were used. Animals were divided into three groups (n:6); control, acute pancreatitis group and melatonin administered group. Blood samples were collected from all groups at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr and serum MDA and amylase levels were determined. MDA and amylase levels were found to be statistically significantly (p<0.05) high in pancreatit group compared to controls where as there was a statistically meaningful reduction (p<0.05) in melatonin received group compared to pancreatit group at 12, 24, 48 hr.

Conclusion: The results of present study suggest that serum MDA level can be used as an important indicator in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and melatonin might be a useful tool in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.