Ameliorative Role of Melatonin on CA1 of Hippocampus and Frontal Cortex in Induced Social Isolation in Adult Male Albino Rat

Abstract Background: Social Isolation (SI) which means absence or insufficient contact with others is a key factor in psychiatric disorders development, which might be necessary for effective psychological treatment as social rehabilitation. Social expe-rience during the infantile period affects brain function and behaviour in rodents, dogs and human. Aim of Study: The current study was designed to elucidate the neuroprotective role of MT on experimentally-induced SI on CA1of rat hippocampus and frontal cortex. Material and Methods: Twenty adult albino rats were divided into four groups, control, sham control, SI and SI + MT. The Body Weight (BW), Brain Weight (BrW) were determined. Brain sections were subjected to histological, morphometric, biochemical and statistical studies. Results: SI induced various histological changes in both hippocampus and frontal cortex in the form of degeneration and absent neurons. SI also caused a significant (sig) increase in area % of caspase 3 and TNF Immunoexpression (IE) were recorded. Sig decrease in the activity of Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, Acetyle Choline Este-rase (ACHE), dopamine level as well ARC gene, and a sig increase in Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, FOS gene, sero-tonin and AB-42. Concomitant administration with MT im-proved sig the previously mentioned changes. Conclusion: SI might lead to various neurological degen-erations as indicated by the histological, morphometric, biochemical changes. These changes were ameliorated by concomitant administration with MT.