Oxidative stress in the cerebellum of pinealectomized rats and its correlation with GFAP expression

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