Inconsistent suppression of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and serum melatonin levels in rats exposed to pulsed DC magnetic fields

The purpose of these experiments was to determine whether the exposure of rats at night to pulsed DC magnetic fields (MF) would influence the nocturnal production and secretion of melatonin, as indicated by pineal N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity (the rate limiting enzyme in melatonin production) and pineal and serum melatonin levels. By using a computer-driven exposure system, 15 experiments were conducted. MF exposure onset was always during the night, with the duration of exposure varying from 15 to 120 min. A variety of field strengths, ranging from 50 to 500 μT (0.5 to 5.0 G) were used with the bulk of the studies being conducted using a 100 μT (1.0 G) field. During the interval of DC MF exposure, the field was turned on and off at 1-s intervals with a rise/fall time constant of 5 ms. Because the studies were performed during the night, all procedures were carried out under weak red light (intensity of <5 μW/cm²). At the conclusion of each study, a blood sample and the pineal gland were collected for analysis of serum melatonin titers and pineal NAT and melatonin levels. The outcome of individual studies varied. Of the 23 cases in which pineal NAT activity, pineal melatonin, and serum melatonin levels were measured, the following results were obtained; in 5 cases (21.7%) pineal NAT activity was depressed, in 2 cases (8.7%) studies pineal melatonin levels were lowered, and in 10 cases (43.5%) serum melatonin concentrations were reduced. Never was there a measured rise in any of the end points that were considered in this study. The magnitudes of the reductions were not correlated with field strength (i.e., no dose-response relationships were apparent), and likewise the reductions could not be correlated with the season of the year (experiments conducted at 12-month intervals under identical exposure conditions yielded different results). Duration of exposure also seemed not to be a factor in the degree of melatonin suppression. The inconsistency of the results does not permit the conclusion that pineal melatonin production or release are routinely influenced by pulsed DC MF exposure. In the current series of studies, a suppression of serum melatonin sometimes occurred in the absence of any apparent change in the synthesis of this indoleamine within the pineal gland (no alteration in either pineal NAT activity or pineal melatonin levels). Because melatonin is a direct free radical scavenger, the drop in serum melatonin could theoretically be explained by an increased uptake of melatonin by tissues that were experiencing augmented levels of free radicals as a consequence of MF exposure. This hypothetical possibly requires additional experimental documentation. Bioelectromagnetics 19:318–329, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Meta-analysis of melatonin treatment and porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer embryo development

Porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) plays an important role in many areas of research. However, the low efficiency of SCNT in porcine embryos limits its applications. Porcine embryos contain high concentrations of lipid, which makes them vulnerable to oxidative stress. Some studies have used melatonin to reduce reactive oxygen species damage. At present there are many reports concerning the effect of exogenous melatonin on porcine SCNT. Some studies suggest that the addition of melatonin can increase the number of blastocyst cells, while others indicate that melatonin can reduce the number of blastocyst cells. Therefore, a meta-analysis was carried out to resolve the contradiction. In this study, a total of 63 articles from the past 30 years were analyzed, and six papers were finally selected. Through the analysis, it was found that the blastocyst rate was increased by adding exogenous melatonin. Melatonin had no effect on cleavage rate or the number of blastocyst cells, but did decrease the number of apoptotic cells. This result is crucial for future research on embryo implantation.     

褪黑素通过减弱催乳素基因增强子的突变抑制大鼠垂体催乳素瘤的增生

本工作旨在探讨褪黑素(melatonin,MLT)抑制17-β-雌二醇(17-β-estradiol,E2)诱发的Sprague-Dawley大鼠垂体催乳素(prolactin,PRL)瘤增生的分子机制。结果表明,每只大鼠每日定时皮下注射一定剂量的MLT(0.25、0.50mg)能显著抑制E2诱发的大鼠垂体PRL瘤的增生;偏低(0.05mg)或过高剂量(1.00、2.00mg)的MLT也抑制PRL瘤的增生,但无统计学意义。采用PCR和DNA直接测序显示,与正常垂体对照组比较,PRL瘤中PRL基因增强子出现五处突变,-1885bp位点由C突变为G,-1857~-1855由ACA替换为G,-1792~-1791插入G,-1383~-1382插入GGTGTGTG片段,-1265~-1250缺失GTGTGTGTGTGTGTGT片段。0.25mg/dMLT处理组,PRL瘤中的PRL基因增强子上述个别突变部位仍然存在(-1885由C突变为G),突变消失(-1792~-1791无插入G),大部分表现为突变减弱(-1856~-1855缺失AC,-1385~-1384缺失TG,-1250~-1253缺失GTGT)。采用荧光素酶报告基因检测PRL基因增强子活性显示,正常垂体、PRL瘤和0.25mg/dMLT处理的PRL瘤三组中,PRL基因增强子的活性分别为(13448.17±3012.74)、(161831.67±60996.01)和(10212.17±2634.71)OD单位。PRL瘤组增强子活性较正常垂体升高11倍(P<0.001),MLT处理组增强子活性较PRL瘤组降低93.69%(P<0.001)。上述三组PRL基因增强子空间结构的分析表明,PRL基因增强子DNA的曲折程度为PRL瘤组>MLT处理组>正常垂体。以上结果证实,MLT抑制大鼠垂体PRL瘤增生的重要分子机制之一可能是减弱PRL基因增强子的突变,也提示MLT可减弱PRL基因增强子的突变,从而下调PRL基因的高表达,可能与降低DNA的曲折程度有关。     

Environmental magnetic fields inhibit the antiproliferative action of tamoxifen and melatonin in a human breast cancer cell line

We have previously reported that environmental-level magnetic fields (1.2 μT [12 milligauss], 60 Hz) block the growth inhibition of the hormone melatonin (10⁻⁹ M) on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro. We now report that the same 1.2 μT, 60 Hz magnetic fields significantly block the growth inhibitory action of pharmacological levels of tamoxifen (10⁻⁷ M). In biophysical studies we have taken advantage of Faraday's Law of Current Induction and tested whether the 1.2 μT magnetic field or the associated induced electric field is responsible for this field effect on melatonin and tamoxifen. We observe that the magnetic field component is associated with the field blocking effect on melatonin and tamoxifen function. To our knowledge the tamoxifen studies represent the first experimental evidence for an environmental-level magnetic field modification of drug interaction with human breast cancer cells. Together, these findings provide support to the theory that environmental-level magnetic fields can act to modify the action of a drug or hormone on regulation of cell proliferation. Melatonin and tamoxifen may act through different biological pathways to down-regulate cell growth, and further studies are required to identify a specific biological site of interaction for the 1.2 μT magnetic field. Bioelectromagnetics 18:555–562, 1997. Published 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

1 This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

     

Inhibition of cerebellar nitric oxide synthase and cyclic GMP production by melatonin via complex formation with calmodulin

Constitutive rat cerebellar nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity is shown to be inhibited by physiological concentrations of the pineal hormone melatonin. The inhibition was dose-dependent and was coupled to an inhibition of the cyclic GMP production activated by L-arginine. Results also show that calmodulin appears to be involved in this process because its presence in the incubation medium was able to prevent the effect of melatonin on both NOS activity and cyclic GMP production. Moreover, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies suggest that melatonin can interact with calmodulin modifying the binding of the peptide to the synthetic NOS peptide encompassing the calmodulin-binding domain of constitutive NOS from rat cerebellum, the natural mechanism by which calmodulin activates cerebellar NOS. J. Cell. Biochem. 65:430–442. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

盐胁迫下外源褪黑素和从枝菌根真菌对月季幼苗生理特性及光合荧光参数的影响

本试验旨在探究100mol/L盐胁迫下根际施用褪黑素(MT)、接种近明球囊霉属AMF幼套近明球囊霉(Claroideoglomus etunicatum)及其复合处理对月季幼苗生长、叶绿素荧光参数、激素代谢及抗氧化系统的影响,以探明两者缓解月季盐胁迫的机制。结果发现,盐胁迫下月季幼苗生长受到抑制,株高、茎粗以及生物量等显著下降;施用MT可以促进AMF侵染,提高侵染率、丛枝着生率、泡囊数和侵入点数。100mol/L盐处理下,与对照(CK)处理相比,AMF+MT处理的叶绿素总量、叶绿素a/b分别增加46.2%和67.2%;叶绿素荧光参数中PSⅡ最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、PSⅡ潜在活性(Fv/Fo)、PSⅡ实际光化学效率(φPSⅡ)、PSII有效光化学量子效率(Fv’/ Fm’)、光化学猝灭系数(qP)分别增加4.9%、51.0%、175.0%、168.7%和92.5%,NPQ的下降幅度为42.7%;此外,盐胁迫下,月季叶片中玉米素核苷(ZR)、赤霉素(GA)、生长素(IAA)含量下降,而脱落酸含量(ABA)增加,AMF+MT处理后ZR、GA、IAA分别增加146.9%、116.9%、35.7%,ABA下降21.1%;同时AMF+MT处理能够激活抗氧化酶SOD、CAT活性,降低超氧阴离子(O2-)产生速率和H2O2累积。结论认为,接种AMF、添加MT或者AMF+MT处理均可以提高叶绿素含量,保护叶绿素荧光系统,维持植物内源激素的平衡,激活SOD、CAT等抗氧化酶活性以及降低脂质过氧化和H2O2累积,以减轻盐胁迫对月季幼苗的伤害,促进月季生长,其中以AMF+MT处理下月季幼苗的抗盐性效果更佳。     

Role of melatonin in the oxidative damage prevention at different times of hepatic regeneration

The process of regenerating liver is the result of a balance between stimulating factors and inhibitors of hepatocyte proliferation. Melatonin and its metabolites have been found to protect tissues against oxidative damage generated by a variety of toxic agents and metabolic processes. Furthermore, studies in liver of rats showed a decrease in the liver mitochondrial hydroxylation of drugs returning to the normal state after the administration of antioxidants. This study was designed to determine, in experimental animals, whether the administration of an antioxidant agent such as melatonin could prevent cells events leading to tissue injury and hepatic dysfunction after partial hepatectomy (PH). Biliary flow (BF), oxidative stress in hepatic tissue and Na⁺/K⁺ATPase activities in whole plasma membrane were determined. PH decreased the Na⁺/K⁺ATPase activity. PH significantly reduced the BF (36%) and promoted oxidative stress with an increase of lipoperoxidation and decrease of glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities. Treatment with melatonin prevented the decrease of BF in rats with hepatectomy and normalized the Na⁺/K⁺ATPase activity. Moreover, melatonin markedly attenuated oxidative stress produced by PH. This may be the results of the higher efficacy of melatonin in scavenging various free radicals and also because of its ability in stimulating the antioxidant enzymes. We suggest that oxidative stress before and during liver regeneration has a crucial role in cholestasis, apoptotic/necrotic hepatocellular damage and the impairment in liver transport function induced by PH and that melatonin could modulate the degree of oxidative stress and through it prevent the alterations in liver function carrier. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Therapeutic potential of melatonin in the intervertebral disc degeneration through inhibiting the ferroptosis of nucleus pulpous cells

Ferroptosis, a novel type of cell death mediated by the iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, contributes to the pathogenesis of the intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Increasing evidence demonstrated that melatonin (MLT) displayed the therapeutic potential to prevent the development of IDD. Current mechanistic study aims to explore whether the downregulation of ferroptosis contributes to the therapeutic capability of MLT in IDD. Current studies demonstrated that conditioned medium (CM) from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages caused a series of changes about IDD, including increased intracellular oxidative stress (increased reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels, but decreased glutathione levels), upregulated expression of inflammation-associated factors (IL-1β, COX-2 and iNOS), increased expression of key matrix catabolic molecules (MMP-13, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5), reduced the expression of major matrix anabolic molecules (COL2A1 and ACAN), and increased ferroptosis (downregulated GPX4 and SLC7A11 levels, but upregulated ACSL4 and LPCAT3 levels) in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. MLT could alleviate CM-induced NP cell injury in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the data substantiated that intercellular iron overload was involved in CM-induced ferroptosis in NP cells, and MLT treatment alleviated intercellular iron overload and protected NP cells against ferroptosis, and those protective effects of MLT in NP cells further attenuated with erastin and enhanced with ferrostatin-1(Fer-1). This study demonstrated that CM from the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages promoted the NP cell injury. MLT alleviated the CM-induced NP cell injury partly through inhibiting ferroptosis. The findings support the role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of IDD, and suggest that MLT may serve as a potential therapeutic approach for clinical treatment of IDD.     

The solar wind and hallucinations--a possible relation due to magnetic disturbances

Data from the 19th century on hallucinations and magnetic disturbances were found to exhibit a direct and statistically significant correlation. The aa magnetic index over the period 1868-89 and concurrent visual hallucinatory activity were found to co-vary (Spearman coefficient = .64; P less than .05). Magnetic influences on the pineal hormone, melatonin, are suggested as a possible source of variation.     

Epigenetic modification in 4T1 mouse breast cancer model by artificial light at night and melatonin – the role of DNA-methyltransferase

Currently, one of the most disputed hypotheses regarding breast cancer (BC) development is exposure to short wavelength artificial light at night (ALAN) as multiple studies suggest a possible link between them. This link is suggested to be mediated by nocturnal melatonin suppression that plays an integral role in circadian regulations including cell division. The objective of the research was to evaluate effects of 1 × 30 min/midnight ALAN (134 µ Wcm^?2, 460 nm) with or without nocturnal melatonin supplement on tumor development and epigenetic responses in 4T1 tumor-bearing BALB/c mice. Mice were monitored for body mass (W_b) and tumor volume for 3 weeks and thereafter urine samples were collected at regular intervals for determining daily rhythms of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT). Finally, mice were sacrificed and the tumor, lungs, liver, and spleen were excised for analyzing the total activity of DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) and global DNA methylation (GDM) levels. Mice exposed to ALAN significantly reduced 6-SMT levels and increased W_b, tumor volume, and lung metastasis compared with controls. These effects were diminished by melatonin. The DNMT activity and GDM levels showed tissue-specific response. The enzymatic activity and GDM levels were lower in tumor and liver and higher in spleen and lungs under ALAN compared with controls. Our results suggest that ALAN disrupts the melatonin rhythm and potentially leading to increased BC burden by affecting DNMT activity and GDM levels. These data may also be applicable to early detection and management of BC by monitoring melatonin and GDM levels as early biomarker of ALAN circadian disruption.