The effect of zinc and melatonin supplementation on immunity parameters in breast cancer induced by DMBA in rats

Arch Physiol Biochem. 2018 Jul;124(3):247-252. doi: 10.1080/13813455.2017.1392580. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of zinc and melatonin supplements on the immunity parameters of female rats with breast cancer induced by DMBA.

Methods: Group 1; Control, Group 2; 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), Group 3; DMBA + zinc, Group 4; DMBA + melatonin, Group 5; DMBA + zinc + melatonin. The rats' breast cancer was induced by DMBA 80 mg/kg. Groups 3-5 received daily 5 mg/kg doses of zinc, melatonin, and zinc + melatonin, respectively. Lymphocyte rates, T-lymphocyte subgroups, B-lymphocyte and natural killer cells (NK), and natural killer T (NKT) were evaluated.

Results: The most significant increase in lymphocyte, T-lymphocyte, and CD4 lymphocyte rates was found in Group 5. The highest NKT cell rates were found in Group 3.

Conclusions: Findings show that zinc and melatonin supplements have led to an increase in the immunity parameters of rats with breast cancer.

Keywords: Cancer; DMBA; immunity; melatonin; zinc.

MeSH terms

  • 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Female
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / chemically induced*
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology*
  • Melatonin / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Zinc / pharmacology*

Substances

  • 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene
  • Zinc
  • Melatonin