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Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine

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Original Article
Oxidative stress in the cerebellum of pinealectomized rats and its correlation with GFAP expression
Abstract
Aims: This study aims to investigate the results of the lack of melatonin in the cerebellar tissue of pinealectomized Wistar albino rats using immunohistochemistry and biochemistry.
Methods: Control, pinealectomy, and sham pinealectomy groups were designed for the experiment (n=8). Pinealectomy and sham pinealectomy surgery were employed. At the end of 30 days, cerebellum tissue was used for histopathological, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining, and biochemical (oxidative stress markers) analyses. Purkinje cell counts and cerebellar layer thickness in the cerebellum were also measured within the scope of histometrical analyses.
Results: The study revealed that melatonin deficiency (pinealectomy) adversely impacts the overall histological structure of the cerebellum, leading to heightened immunoreactivity to GFAP antibody, elevated malondialdehyde levels, and reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels in comparison to control and sham pinealectomy groups (p<0.05). This study has, for the first time, elucidated the amounts of oxidants and antioxidants, GFAP immunoreactivity, Purkinje cell counts, and cerebellar layers thicknesses in the cerebellum of a pinealectomized rat model. This study is the inaugural investigation to elucidate the association between melatonin and the cerebellum, a topic hitherto overlooked in the literature, thereby establishing a significant foundation.
Conclusion: Lack of melatonin can be a reason for neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in the cerebellum. Pinealectomy surgery was found to be a reason for the elevation of oxidative stress, deterioration of the histological architecture, and increase of GFAP expression in the cerebellar tissue of the Wistar albino rats.

Keywords : Cerebellum, GFAP, oxidative stress, pinealectomy

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Article available in :
Volume 8, Issue 2, 2025
Page : 338-344
https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1624240
Article Information
Received : 21 Oca 2025
Accepted : 08 Mar 2025
Published : 21 Mar 2025
Corresponding Author :

Feyza Başak: Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Karabük University, Karabük, Turkiye

[email protected]
Citation : Başak F, Kuşat T, Demir M, Weli Weli SH. Oxidative stress in the cerebellum of pinealectomized rats and its correlation with GFAP expression. J Health Sci Med. 2025;8(2):338-344.

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