• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제16권1호
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2012

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the teleost hypothalamus contains a central circadian pacemaker, which adjusts circadian rhythms within the body to environmental light-dark cycles. It has been shown that exposure to darkness during the day causes phase shifts in circadian rhythms. In this study, we examined the effect of exposure to darkness on the mRNA expression levels of two circadian clock genes, namely, $Period2$ ($Per2$) and $Cryptochrome1$ ($Cry1$), and the rate-limiting enzyme in melatonin synthesis, arylalkylamine $N$-acetyltransferase-2 (Aanat2), in the pineal gland of olive flounder, $Paralichthys$ $olivaceus$. The expression of these genes showed circadian variations and was significantly higher during the dark phase. These changes may be involved in the mechanism of dark-induced phase shifts. Furthermore, this study suggests that olive flounder may be a teleost model to investigate the localization and function of circadian oscillators.

• 한국전기전자재료학회논문지
• /
• 제18권5호
• /
• pp.407-413
• /
• 2005

Ion implantation provides a unique way to modify the mechanical, optical and electrical properties of polymer by depositing the energy of ions in the material on the atomic scale. Implantation of ions into the polymers generally leads to a radiation damage, which, in many cases, modifies the properties of the surface and bulk of the material. These modifications result from the changes of the chemical structure caused in their turn by changing the chemical bonding when the incident ions cut the polymer chains, breaks covalent bonds, promotes cross-linking, and liberates certain volatile species. We studied the relation among the linear energy transfer (LET) and changes of surface microstructure and surface resistivity on PPS material using the high current ion implantation technology The surface resistivity of nitrogen implanted PPS decreased to $10^{7}{\Omega}/cm^{2}$ due to the chain scission, cross linking, ${\pi}$ electron creation and mobility increase. In this case, the surface conductivity depend on the 1-dimensional hopping mechanism.

• 농업과학연구
• /
• 제44권3호
• /
• pp.309-317
• /
• 2017

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indole synthesized from tryptophan by the pineal gland in animal. The major function of melatonin is to modulate circadian and circannual rhythms in photoperiodic mammals. Importantly, however, melatonin is also a free radical scavenger, anti-oxidant, and anti-apoptotic agent. Recently, the beneficial effects of melatonin on oocyte maturation and embryonic development in vitro have been reported in many species such as pig, cattle, sheep, mouse, and human. In this review, we will discuss recent studies about the role of melatonin in the production of porcine and bovine oocytes and embryos in vitro in order to provide useful information of melatonin in oocyte maturation and embryo culture in vitro.

• 한국식품과학회지
• /
• 제34권6호
• /
• pp.1145-1148
• /
• 2002

뇌의 송과선에서 분비되는 호르몬인 melatonin은 생체의 산화적 손상을 방어하는 효능이 있다고 알려져 있는데, 26종의 식물체로부터 그 존재 및 함량을 분석하였다. Melatonin 함유 분획을 조제하기 위하여 동결건조된 식물체 분말을 50% ethanol로 추출한 다음 여과 후 TLC 상에서 acetone으로 전개시켜 melatonin을 분리하였다. 형광하에서 확인된 melatonin spot은 methanol로 추출한 다음 HPLC로 분석하였다. HPLC 분석시 ODS-A column을 사용하였으며 이동상은 70% ammonium acetate와 메탄올을 30 : 70(v/v)으로 섞어서 1.0 mL/min의 속도로 흘려주었다. Melatonin peak의 확인은 형광 detector를 이용하였으며 retention time은 17분이었다. 이같은 분석조건에서 셀러리, 부추, 브로콜리, 컬리플라워 등에서 높은 melatonin 함량이 확인되었다.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 1999

melatonin (MLT), N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is mainly secreted by the pineal gland. The ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR) and 1H-NMR spectra of irradiated and non-irradiated MLT were measured, and phototoxicity tests of MLT, anthracence (positive control) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, negative control) were performed. The methods employed include both in vitro test such as MTS assay using the human fibroblast cell and yeast growth inhibition assay using Candida albicans and in vivo method using the skin of guinea pig. UV absorption spectra and 1H-NMR spectra of MLT were changed by UVA (365 nm, 15 J/$\textrm{cm}^2$), but IR spectra of MLT were not changed. The fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC50) ratio (UV-/UV+) of MLT was 10. The inhibition zone of irradiated-paper disks treated with MLT was not observed. According to the results of histophathological examination, no pathologic lesion was observed in the non-irradiated group, but slight degeneration of keratinocytes in the epidermis, homorrhage and vasodilation in dermis were observed in the irradiated group. These results indicated that the molecular structure of MLT is altered by UVA to unidentified photoproducts and a moderate phototoxicity of MLT is predicted.

• 근관절건강학회지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of auricular acupressure on insomnia. Methods: Forty-four adults with insomnia for >1 month were recruited and randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. In the experimental group, acupressure stickers were attached to the areas of Pineal Gland (TG1), Aggressivity point (LO2), Point Zero (HX1), and Occiput (AT3) for 1 week. Sleep hygiene education materials were provided to the control group, but acupressure was not provided. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS ver. 26 program. Results: As a result of controlling for the severity of insomnia (F=5.40, p=.025) and headache (F=4.60, p=.038), which showed a significant difference in the homogeneity test as covariates, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score in the experimental group decreased compared to that in the control group . Conclusion: The result of this study showed that auricular acupressure was helpful in improving insomnia.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.92-100
• /
• 2000

목적 :본 연구의 목적은 뇌 생식 세포종 환자들의 방사선치료 시 가장 적절한 조사 영역을 알아보고자 시행하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1993년부터 1998년까지 뇌 생식세포종으로 진단되거나 또는 추정되어 감마 나이프를 시행 받은 환자 19 명을 대상으로 분석하였다. 송과선 9예, 안상(suprasellar) 1예, 그 외 2군데 이상 다발성 병소가 9예였다. 조직이 확인이 된 예는 7예이었고 배아종(germ ceil tumor)이 5명, 내배엽동종(endodermal sinus tumor)이 2명이었다. 종양의 부피는 2.4 cm$^{3}$부터 74 cm$^{3}$ 까지 이었다. 감마나이프 방사선 치료는 50% 등선량 곡선을 중심으로 10 Gy부터 20 Gy에 걸쳐 조사되었다. 추적 기간은 10개월에서부터 54개월까지였다. 결과 : 총 19명 중 14명(74%)에서 재발을 하였다. 완전 관해와 부분 관해는 각각 2명(11%), 10명(53%)이었다. 무반응은 7명(36%)이었다. 원발 병소가 있었던 자리에서 재발한 경우가 2예, 치료 조사영역을 벗어났으나 원발 병소와 연결되어서 그 주위로 재발한 경우가 6예 이었다. 원발 병소와 떨어져서 뇌실 재발이 된 경우 3예, 척수 전이가 된 경우가 4예 이었다. 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하인 경우는 8예이었으며 이중 2예는 치료 조사영역 내에서만 재발한 경우, 4예는 원발 병소와 연이어져서 치료 부위 주위로 재발한 경우, 1예는 척수 전이된 경우이었다. 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 보다 큰 경우는 6예 이었으며 그 중 원발 병소와 연이어져서 치료 부위 주위에 재발한 경우 1예, 원발 병소와 떨어져서 뇌실 전이가 된 경우가 2예, 척수 전이를 일으킨 경우가 3예였다. 재발을 하지 않은 5예는 종양의 부피가 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하인 경우이고 모두 단일 병소이며 종양기표가 모두 정상이었다. 척수 전이는 4예(21%)에서 발생하였으며 모두 뇌실 침범이 있는 경우에 발생하였다. 총 9명의 다발성 병소 중 국소 재발만을 한 경우는 3경우이었고 나머지는 모두 치료 조사영역을 벗어나 원발 병소와 떨어져서 재발하였다. 결론 : 감마 나이프 치료가 뇌 생식세포종에 대한 치료로서는 부적절한 치료이며 이것은 감마 나이프의 특성인 작은 치료 용적과 조사 선량의 부적절함에서 기인하는 것으로 판단된다. 뇌 생식 세포종에서 병소 부위 만을 치료하는 경은 종양의 부피와 다발성 병소의 뇌실 침범 유무가 치료 성공의 열쇠이다. 20 cm$^{3}$ 이하, 단일 병소, 뇌실 침범이 혀는 경우, 정상적인 종양지표, 등이 가장 이상적인 적응증이 될 수 있다. 다발성 병소에서 뇌실 침범이나 뇌실 병소가 있을 경우는 예방적 뇌 척수 조사를 고려해야 할 것으로 생각된다. 병소의 크기가 cm$^{3}$ 보다 클 경우 다발성 병소인 경우, 종양지표의 증가가 있는 경우에는 확정적인 제안을 하기는 어렵지만 전 뇌실 조사 또는 부분방사선 조사가 시도될 수 있을 것으로 생각되며 이 경우가 선행 화학 요법과 함께 치료할 수 있는 대상이며, 앞으로 이 부분에 대한 연구가 계속 이루어질 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• 제9권2호
• /
• pp.5-8
• /
• 2002

Photoperiodism is an important adaptive phenomenon in various physiological parameters including reproduction to cope with seasonal changes. Involvement of extraretinal photoreceptors in the photoperiodism in non-mammalian vertebrates has been well established. In addition, circadian clock system is known to be involved in the photoperiodic time measurement. The pathway consists of light-input system, time measurement system (circadian clock), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) production in the hypothalamus, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) production in the pituitary, and final gonadal development. Recently, several laboratories reported photopigments newly cloned in the pineal, eyes and deep brain in addition to already known visual pigments in the retina. These are pinopsin, parapinopsin, VA-opsin, melanopsin, etc. All these photopigments belong to the opsin family having retinal as the chromophore. However, the function of these photopigments remains unknown. I reviewed the studies on the location of the photopigments by immunocytochemistry. I also discussed the results on the action spectra for induction of gonadal development in relation with the location of the photoreceptors. Various physiologically active substances distribute in the vertebrate brain. Such substances are GnRH, GnIH, neuropeptide Y, vasoactive intestinal peptide, c-Fos, galanin, neurosteroids, etc. I summarized the immunhistochemical studies on the distribution and the photoperiodic changes of these substances and discussed the route from the deep brain photoreceptor to GnRH cells.

• 대한임상독성학회지
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.144-150
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Glyphosate is a widely used non-selective herbicide. Previous studies have shown that glyphosate has genotoxicity, and that even low-doses of glyphosate can cause DNA damage. Melatonin is a hormone produced and secreted by the pineal gland that is known to be a potent anti-carcinogen, anti-oxidant, and genetic protector. This study was conducted to investigate the genoprotective effect of melatonin against glyphosate in human blood lymphocytes. Methods: Human peripheral blood was obtained from 15 young, healthy volunteers and cultured under four different toxicologic conditions. The four groups consisted of a control group, glyphosate only group (300 ng/mL), glyphosate with low level of melatonin group ($50{\mu}M$), and glyphosate with high level of melatonin group ($200{\mu}M$). The mean Sister Chromatid Exchange (SCE) frequency of each group was then analyzed. Results: Glyphosate exposed groups had a higher mean SCE frequency ($10.33{\pm}2.50$) than the control group ($6.78{\pm}2.31$, p<0.001). Interestingly, the group that received a low-level of melatonin had a lower mean SCE frequency ($8.67{\pm}2.58$) than the glyphosate-only group, while the group that received a high level of melatonin had a much lower mean SCE frequency ($8.06{\pm}2.50$) than the glyphosate-only group. There was statistical significance. Conclusion: Melatonin exerted a potent gene protective effect against the genotoxicity of glyphosate on human blood lymphocytes in a dose-dependent fashion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제5권4호
• /
• pp.333-342
• /
• 2001

Adriamycin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic agent for cancer, including acute leukemia, lymphoma, and a number of solid human tumors. However, recent studies have recognized severe cardiotoxicity after an acute dose, which are likely the result of generation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, the clinical uses of adriamycin have been limited. Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone known for its ability to modulate circardian rhythm, has recently been studied in its several functions, including cancer growth inhibition, stimulating the immune system, and acting as an antioxidant and radical scavenging effects. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of melatonin administration on adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity in rat. Heart slices were prepared using a Stadie-Riggs microtome for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) content used as an index of lipid peroxidation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release as an indicator of lethal cell injury. Serious adriamycin-induced lethality was observed in rat by a single intraperitoneal injection in a dose-dependent manner. A single injection of adriamycin (25 mg/kg, i.p.) induced a lethality rate of 86%, with melatonin (10 mg/kg s.c. for 6 days) treatment reducing the adriamycin-induced lethality rate to 20%. The severe body weight loss caused by adriamycin was also significantly attenuated by melatonin treatment. Treatment of melatonin marked reduced adriamycin-induced the levels of MDA formation and LDH release. A cell damage indicated by the loss of myofibrils, swelling of the mitochondria as well as cytoplasmic vacuolization was seen in adriamycin-treated group. Melatonin attenuated the adriamycin-induced structural alterations. These data provide evidence that melatonin prevents adriamycin-induced cardiotoxicity and might serve as a combination with adriamycin to limit free radical-mediated cardiotoxicity.