Comparison the effect of melatonin and the selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake citalopram drug on the ultrastructure of liver tissue and hepatic enzymes in Adult Female three-spotted gourami Fish (Trichogaster trichopterus)

Most of the various drugs that are used to treat various diseases are metabolized in the liver. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of melatonin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug citalopram on liver tissue ultrastructure and liver enzymes in adult female Trichogaster. For this purpose, 120 pieces of Trichogaster with an average weight of 4.23 ± 0.70 g divided into eight groups of 15, which included the control groups, solvent intact, three groups which received citalopram with a dose of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg and three treatment groups receiving melatonin with doses of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg. A dose of 0.02 ml of the drug was injected intramuscularly between the dorsal fin and the lateral line every other day for 10 times, over a period of 20 days. Then, the fish were euthanized and dissected. The results showed that melatonin and citalopram had a significant effect on the level of all liver enzymes compared to the control groups (P<0.05). The highest levels of ALT, AST and ALP were measured after the injection of 20 mg/kg citalopram (P<0.05). In fish treated with the highest concentration of melatonin and all concentrations of citalopram, dissociation between hepatocytes and expansion of sinusoids occurred. Fat vacuoles were formed in high concentrations of melatonin and citalopram. Therefore, melatonin at a concentration of 100 mg/kg and citalopram at a concentration higher than 5 mg/kg have a negative effect on the ultrastructure of liver tissue and liver enzymes.