• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 2008

Melatonin has been reported to protect neurons from a variety of neurotoxicity. However, the underlying mechanism by which melatonin exerts its neuroprotective property has not yet been clearly understood. We previously demonstrated that melatonin protected kainic acid-induced neuronal cell death in mouse hippocampus, accompanied by sustained activation of Akt, a critical mediator of neuronal survival. To further elucidate the neuroprotective action of melatonin, we examined in the present study the causal mechanism how Akt signaling pathway is regulated by melatonin in a rat primary astrocyte culture model. Melatonin resulted in increased astrocytic Akt phosphorylation, which was significantly decreased with wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K, suggesting that activation of Akt by melatonin is mediated through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Furthermore, increased Akt activation was also significantly decreased with luzindole, a non-selective melatonin receptor antagonist. As downstream signaling pathway of Akt activation, increased levels of CREB phoshorylation and GDNF expression were observed, which were also attenuated with wortmannin and luzindole. These results strongly suggest that melatonin exerts its neuroprotective property in astrocytes through the activation of plasma membrane receptors and then PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제5권3호
• /
• pp.223-230
• /
• 2001

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, is believed to act as an antioxidant via the stimulation of radical detoxifying enzymes and scavenging of free radicals. In this study, effects of in vitro and in vivo treatments of melatonin on the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, LDH release and plasma creatinine were determined in rabbit renal cortical cells. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was assayed as an index of lipid peroxidation and the level of LDH release as an indicator of cellular damage. In in vitro studies, cisplatin increased the levels of MDA and LDH release in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Melatonin inhibited the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release in a concentration-dependent manner. The minimal effective concentration of melatonin that significantly reduced the $300\;{\mu}M$ cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release was 1 mM. In in vivo studies, the levels of lipid peroxidation and LDH release in renal cortical cells increased significantly 24 or 48 hours after a single injection of cisplatin (6 mg/kg). When the cisplatin-injected rabbits were pretreated with 10 mg/kg of melatonin, a significant reduction in both lipid peroxidation and LDH release was observed. The plasma creatinine level increased from $0.87{\pm}0.07$ mg/dl in control to $6.33{\pm}0.54$ mg/dl in cisplatin-injected rabbits (P＜0.05). Melatonin partially prevented the increase in serum creatinine level $(1.98{\pm}0.11\;mg/dl)$ by cisplatin (P＜0.05). In the proximal tubules from cisplatin-treated group, tubular cells had microvilli of variable heights. Necrotic debris was seen in tubular lumens. In most of cells, the mitochondria and lysosomes were increased in frequency. The endocytic vacuoles were not prominent and distribution of the brush border was irregular and shortened. These cisplatin-induced morphological changes were moderate in the melatonin-pretreated group. These results suggest that the toxicity of cisplatin is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen free radicals and that melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, which prevents some of the adverse effects of cisplatin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제20권10호
• /
• pp.1496-1502
• /
• 2007

The roles of melatonin in the control of deiodinase (MD) activity in cashmere goat skin and associated cashmere fibre growth were investigated. Eighteen half-sib Chinese Inner Mongolia cashmere wethers were allocated randomly to two groups (n = 9/group). One group was implanted subcutaneously with melatonin (2 mg/kg BW) at three 2-monthly intervals while the other group served as a control. All goats were maintained under natural photoperiodic conditions and were grazed on natural pasture. The plasma melatonin concentration showed a significant difference (p<0.01) between the implant group (M) and the control group (C) but plasma $T_4$ (or $T_3$) showed no significant difference (p>0.05). The monodeiodinase type II (MDII) activity in skin tended to increase gradually from the summer solstice to November. During July and August, the activity of MDII for the M group was higher (p<0.05) than that of the C group; also during this period, there was a significant positive correlation between MDII activity of skin and cashmere fibre growth rate. The monodeiodinase type III (MDIII) activity and the ratio of MDIII and MDII tended to decrease from the summer solstice to November. The ratio of MDIII and MDII for the M group was lower (p<0.05) than that of the C group in July and August. The cashmere fibre growth rate of the M group was significantly greater than that of the C group in July (p<0.01), August (p<0.001) and September (p<0.05). The cashmere fibre diameter and guard hair and body weight were not influenced (p>0.05) by melatonin implantation. The results demonstrate that melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of skin MD activity. Simultaneously, the cashmere fibre elongation stimulated by melatonin may result from enhanced MDII activity during a period of two months after melatonin treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2019

Background: Increased oxidative stress and inflammation play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of chronic tendinopathy. Melatonin is an endogenous molecule that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological effects of exogenous melatonin administrations in supraspinatus overuse tendinopathy. Methods: Fifty rats were divided into the following four groups: cage activity, melatonin treatment, corticosteriod therapy, and control. Melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal; twice a day) and triamcinolone (0.3 mg/kg, subacromial; weekly) were administered to the treatment groups after the overuse period. Biochemical and histopathological evaluations were performed on serum samples and biopsies obtained from rats. Plasma inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were evaluated biochemically. Results: The TAS, TOS, OSI, iNOS, and VEGF values were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels in rats receiving exogenous melatonin treatment (3 or 6 weeks) (p<0.05). TOS, iNOS, VEGF, and OSI values after 3 weeks of triamcinolone administration, and TOS, VEGF, and OSI levels after 6 weeks of triamcinolone application, were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels (p<0.05). Conclusions: Exogenous melatonin application in overuse tendinopathy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Melatonin might be an alternative potential molecule to corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic tendinopathy.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제20권6호
• /
• pp.555-559
• /
• 1997

The three different batches of an oral sustained release melatonin (MT) delivery system were prepared by aqueous-based fluid-bed coating of the sugar spheres for the evaluation of in vitro release characteristics and plasma concentration profiles in human subjects. The MT contents in 20% coated sugar spheres of three batches (B1, B2 and B3) were $3.3{\pm}0.08$, $2.4{\pm}0.1$ and $2.5{\pm}0.13$ mg per gram of coated sugar spheres, respectively. The release profiles of three different batches had a very similar fashion. However, the release profiles of three different batches had a very similar fashion. However, the release half-lives $(T_{50%})$ of MT from B1, B2 and B3 was $3.70{\pm}0.2$, $5.2{\pm}0.2$ and $4.9{\pm}0.07h$, respectively. Plasma concentration profiles of sustained release 0.2mg melatonin-loaded sugar spheres containing 10% immediate release melatonin in gelatin capsules (B1 and B2) were then evaluated in human subjects. The in vivo plasma concentration profies of the two batches (B1 and B2) were very similar each other and located between the physiological endogenous ranges. The time to reach the peak concentration $(T_max)$ was more advanced in case of B1 when compared to B2. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the maximum concentration $(C_max)$ and the area under the curve (AUC) between B1 and B2. The AUC of melatonin-loaded sugar spheres containing 10% and 20% immediate release MT in human subjects had a good linearity between dose and AUC, regardless of the fraction of immediate release MT, indicating the first order elimination process of MT within these doses. The current oral sustained release MT delivery system may be utilized to treat circadian rhythm disorders if it is proven to be more clinically useful when compared to immediate release MT.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제5권2호
• /
• pp.181-187
• /
• 2001

포유동물의 혈중 프로락틴 농도는 일주기와 연주기의 변화를 나타내며 송과체에서 분비되는 멜라토닌이 조절인자로 관여한다. 인위적인 송과체의 기능 억제는 혈중 프로락틴 농도를 증가시킨다. 임신 후반기에 태반에서는 수종의 프로락틴군 호르몬들이 분비되어 태반기능 및 배아발생에 중요한 역할을 한다. 그러나 이들 호르몬 유전자들의 발현 조절기작과 조절 인자들에 관한 연구 결과는 미비하다. 본 연구에서는 RT-PCR과, in situ hybridization 방법으로 흰쥐의 태반에서 Me $l_{la}$ 유전자의 발현을 확인하였다. 발현되는 주요 세포는 junctional zone과 labyrinth zone의 spongiotrophoblast 세포와 trophoblast giant세포였다. 특이한 것은junctional zone의 Me $l_{la}$ 유전자의 발현이 밤시간(22:00)에 비하여 낮시간(16:00)에 높게 조사되었다. 그리고 멜라토닌 수용체 agonist인 chloromelatonin은 PLP-A 유전자의 발현을 억제하였다. 이러한 결과들로 보아 흰쥐의 태반에서 Me $l_{la}$ 유전자가 발현되며, 멜라토닌에 의해 유도되는 Me $l_{la}$ 의 활성화는 PLP-A유전자의 발현에 중요한 조절인자로 작용할 것이다.

• 한국동물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국동물학회 1999년도 한국생물과학협회 학술발표대회
• /
• pp.195.2-195
• /
• 1999

No Abstract, See Full Text

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제27권5호
• /
• pp.517-523
• /
• 2017

본 실험은 항산화제인 melatonin, silymarin, curcumin 및 vitamin E가 aresenite에 의해 손상된 돼지의 정자성상능력에 미치는 영향을 조사한 연구이다. 돼지정자는 채취 후 희석하여 실험에 이용하였으며, $100{\mu}M$ arsenite는 인위적으로 정자를 손상시키는데 사용하였다. 또한 100 nM melatonin, $2{\mu}M$ silymarin, $10{\mu}M$ curcumin 및 $500{\mu}M$ Vitamin E를 희석된 돼지정자에 첨가하여 3, 6 및 9시간 동안 배양 후 정자의 운동성, 원형질막 온전성, 미토콘드리아 기능성 및 원형질막 지질과산화를 검토하였다. 그 결과, 정자의 운동성 및 원형질막 온전성은 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 감소하였으며, 항산화제 단독처리구는 유의적으로 증가하였다. 또한, arsenite에 의해 손상된 처리구는 항산화제에 의해 유의적으로 증가하였다(p<0.05). 정자의 미토콘드리아 기능성은 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 감소하였고, 정자의 원형질막 지질과산화는 $100{\mu}M$ arsenite 처리구에서 유의적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다(p<0.05). 결론적으로, arsenite의해 감소된 돼지정자의 운동성과 원형질막은 melatonin, silymarin, curcumin 및 vitamin E와 같은 항산화제에 의하여 예방될 수 있다고 판단되며, arsenite에 의해 감소된 정자의 수정능력은 항산화제에 의해 회복될 수 있을 것이라 생각된다.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• 제23권3호spc1호
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 1993

Sugar spheres loaded with melatonin (MT) were coated with $Aquacoat^{\circledR}$ to control the release rate of MT over 8 hours. A zero-order release pattern over 8 hours was obtained with 20% coating on 8-10 mesh beads in USP basket dissolution studies. MT in 20% coated beads was quite stable at room temperature with less than 5% MT degraded during 6 months' storage. Dissolution profiles were also unchanged after 6 months. An oral preparation containing MT-loaded uncoated beads for immediate release and 20% coated beads with $Aquacoat^{\circledR}$ for controlled release over 8 hours was evaluated in six human subjects. When total 0.5 mg MT as low dose (immediate release portion of MT, 0.1 mg) was administered to four subjects, average peak plasma MT concentration was reached at about 600 pg/ml and maintained at about 10 pg/ml over 8 hours. Plasma MT concentration-time profiles were similar in shape to computer-simulated profiles. However, maximal plasma MT concentrations were three times greater compared to computer simulated curve. These results suggest that MT dose, ratio of immediate and controlled release MT, and pharmacokinetic parameters selected are adjusted to mimic endogenous MT concentration-time curve. In another study, 0.2 mg MT having 10% of immediate release portion and 80% controlled release portion produced plasma MT concentration-time curve which is more similar to endogenous profiles. A low bioavailability (<20%) may result from extensive first pass metabolism and remaining amounts of MT from controlled beads. A good correlation between plasma MT concentration and urinary excretion rate of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-STMT), a major metabolite of MT was observed. As plasma MT concentration increased, urinary excretion rate of 6-STMT increased concomitantly. The linear relation between plasma MT and urinary excretion rate of 6-STMT was statistically significant. This result suggests that urinary 6-STMT may be used as an index of circadian rhythms of MT in humans.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제30권12호
• /
• pp.1784-1795
• /
• 2017

Objective: The study examined the effect of intravenous administration of bacterial endotoxin-lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -on the nocturnal secretion of melatonin and on the expression of enzymes of the melatonin biosynthetic pathway in the pineal gland of ewes, taking into account two different photoperiodic conditions: short-night (SN; n = 12) and long-night (LN; n = 12). Methods: In both experiments, animals (n = 12) were randomly divided into two groups: control (n = 6) and LPS-treated (n = 6) one. Two hours after sunset, animals received an injection of LPS or saline. Blood samples were collected starting one hour after sunset and continuing for 3 hours after the treatment. The ewes were euthanized 3 hours after LPS/saline treatment. The concentration of hormones in plasma was assayed by radioimmunoassay. In the pineal gland, the content of serotonin and its metabolite was determined by HPLC; whereas the expression of examined genes and protein was assayed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western Blot, respectively. Results: Endotoxin administration lowered (p<0.05) levels of circulating melatonin in animals from LN photoperiod only during the first hour after treatment, while in ewes from SN photoperiod only in the third hour after the injection. Inflammation more substantially suppressed biosynthesis of melatonin in ewes from SN photoperiod, which were also characterised by lower (p<0.05) cortisol concentrations after LPS treatment compared with animals from LN photoperiod. In the pineal gland of ewes subjected to SN photoperiod, LPS reduced (p<0.05) serotonin content and the expression of melatonin biosynthetic pathway enzymes, such as tryptophan hydroxylase and arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase. Pineal activity may be disturbed by circulating LPS and proinflammatory cytokines because the expression of mRNAs encoding their corresponding receptors was determined in this gland. Conclusion: The present study showed that peripheral inflammation reduces the secretion of melatonin, but this effect may be influenced by the photoperiod.