Effect of Melatonin on High Salt-Induced Metabolic Changes in Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Menopause, the biological stage in a woman’s life characterized by permanent cessation of menstruation and fertility secondary to the loss of ovarian function and estrogen deprivation (Dalal and Agarwal, 2015), is associated with increased risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome and related co morbidities, including obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Chung et al., 2015). Salt, an essential micronutrient is commonly added to food to enhance taste, preserve food, and improve the appearance of processed foods. High salt intake is associated with increased risk for hypertension and cardiovascular mortality, which caused many professional societies to recommend limiting salt intake (Cogswell et al., 2016).