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Objective To observe the neuroprotective effect of different doses of melatonin on early lipid peroxidation level and ultra-structure in experimental spinal cord injury(SCI) rats.Methods The SCI model of rat was established by an aneurysm clip at the level of T10.Sixty model rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(10 each): model I group received only laminectomy;model II group received laminectomy and aneurysm clip;the SCI rats in control group were given 0.2ml of 5% ethanol immediately after injury;the SCI rats in methylprednisolone treatment group were given 30mg/kg of methylprednisolone;melatonin treatment I and II group received melatonin with dosage of 50 and 100 mg/kg,respectively.The malonaldehyde(MDA) level at the injured sites of the spinal cord at 24 hours after trauma was detected,and the score of ultrastructural histopathological changes was also made.Results The MDA levels in model I and all treatment groups were significantly lower than those in model II and control group(P < 0.05).There were no statistical difference between melatonin and methylprednisolone treatment group(P > 0.05),and the same was between the two melatonin treatment groups(P > 0.05).The scoring of ultrastructural histopathological changes showed that melatonin treatment II group had the same neuroprotective effect as in methylprednisolone group(P > 0.05),while the effect of melatonin treatment II group was significantly better than that of melatonin treatment I group(P < 0.05).Conclusions Melatonin can inhibit the early lipid peroxidation of experimental spinal cord injury,and possess the neuroprotective effect on the ultra-structure.