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Science (New York, N.Y.) Jul 2023Disruption of the physiologic sleep-wake cycle and low melatonin levels frequently accompany cardiac disease, yet the underlying mechanism has remained enigmatic....
Disruption of the physiologic sleep-wake cycle and low melatonin levels frequently accompany cardiac disease, yet the underlying mechanism has remained enigmatic. Immunostaining of sympathetic axons in optically cleared pineal glands from humans and mice with cardiac disease revealed their substantial denervation compared with controls. Spatial, single-cell, nuclear, and bulk RNA sequencing traced this defect back to the superior cervical ganglia (SCG), which responded to cardiac disease with accumulation of inflammatory macrophages, fibrosis, and the selective loss of pineal gland-innervating neurons. Depletion of macrophages in the SCG prevented disease-associated denervation of the pineal gland and restored physiological melatonin secretion. Our data identify the mechanism by which diurnal rhythmicity in cardiac disease is disturbed and suggest a target for therapeutic intervention.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mice; Circadian Rhythm; Heart Diseases; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Sleep; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm; Superior Cervical Ganglion; Macrophages; Fibrosis
PubMed: 37471539
DOI: 10.1126/science.abn6366 -
The International Journal of... May 2020The pineal gland, an endocrine organ of the posterior cranial fossa famously involved in sleep and wakefulness, has continually been a topic of scientific advancement... (Review)
Review
The pineal gland, an endocrine organ of the posterior cranial fossa famously involved in sleep and wakefulness, has continually been a topic of scientific advancement and curiosity. We review present an up-to-date review including the anatomy, embryology, and physiology of the pineal gland and its ability to secrete hormones including melatonin, pathophysiology of pineal gland tumors, cysts, and calcifications, their clinical presentation including their association with parkinsonism and precocious puberty, and various treatment approaches. Exploring the biochemistry of melatonin, various calcification morphologies, and pineal tumors may uncover a wider role and the exhaustive case study consolidation allows clinicians to carefully review the literature and aid their treatment approaches. It is imperative that clinicians and diagnosticians are able to distinguish manifestations of an overlooked gland.
Topics: Calcinosis; Humans; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Pinealoma; Puberty, Precocious
PubMed: 31714865
DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2019.1692838 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2018The pineal gland is a unique organ that synthesizes melatonin as the signaling molecule of natural photoperiodic environment and as a potent neuronal protective... (Review)
Review
The pineal gland is a unique organ that synthesizes melatonin as the signaling molecule of natural photoperiodic environment and as a potent neuronal protective antioxidant. An intact and functional pineal gland is necessary for preserving optimal human health. Unfortunately, this gland has the highest calcification rate among all organs and tissues of the human body. Pineal calcification jeopardizes melatonin's synthetic capacity and is associated with a variety of neuronal diseases. In the current review, we summarized the potential mechanisms of how this process may occur under pathological conditions or during aging. We hypothesized that pineal calcification is an active process and resembles in some respects of bone formation. The mesenchymal stem cells and melatonin participate in this process. Finally, we suggest that preservation of pineal health can be achieved by retarding its premature calcification or even rejuvenating the calcified gland.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Calcinosis; Humans; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Rejuvenation
PubMed: 29385085
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23020301 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2022Pineal microdialysis is characterized by the real-time monitoring of melatonin, neurotransmitters, metabolites, and other compounds released by the pineal gland...
Pineal microdialysis is characterized by the real-time monitoring of melatonin, neurotransmitters, metabolites, and other compounds released by the pineal gland throughout 24 h. It is a technique with great advantages that allows in vivo study of the ongoing pineal gland metabolism. In this chapter, we describe the entire process of pineal microdialysis that includes probe manufacturing, surgical procedure for its implantation, and the sample collection process.
Topics: Circadian Rhythm; Melatonin; Microdialysis; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 36180678
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_9 -
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric... 2018Fluoride, one of the most celebrated ingredients for the prevention of dental caries in the 20th century, has also been controversial for its use in dentifrices and... (Review)
Review
Fluoride, one of the most celebrated ingredients for the prevention of dental caries in the 20th century, has also been controversial for its use in dentifrices and other applications. In the current review, we have concentrated primarily on early-life exposure to fluoride and how it may affect the various organs. The most recent controversial aspects of fluoride are related to toxicity of the developing brain and how it may possibly result in the decrease of intelligence quotient (IQ), autism, and calcification of the pineal gland. In addition, it has been reported to have possible effects on bone and thyroid glands. If nutritional stress is applied during a critical period of growth and development, the organ(s) and/or body will never recover once they pass through the critical period. For example, if animals are force-fed during experiments, they will simply get fat but never reach the normal size. Although early-life fluoride exposure causing fluorosis is well reported in the literature, the dental profession considers it primarily as an esthetic rather than a serious systemic problem. In the current review, we wanted to raise the possibility of future disease as a result of early-life exposure to fluoride. It is not currently known how fluoride will become a cause of future disease. Studies of other nutritional factors have shown that the effects of early nutritional stress are a cause of disease in later life.
Topics: Autistic Disorder; Bone Neoplasms; Brain; Calcinosis; Cariostatic Agents; Fluoridation; Fluorides; Humans; Intelligence Tests; Osteosarcoma; Pineal Gland; Thyroid Hormones
PubMed: 29763350
DOI: 10.17796/1053-4625-42.5.1 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2020
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Health Status; Humans; Melatonin; Metabolic Diseases; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 33324351
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.613549 -
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2022The pinealectomy technique consists of the surgical removal of the superficial pineal gland. This procedure allows the ablation of circulating indoles produced by this...
The pinealectomy technique consists of the surgical removal of the superficial pineal gland. This procedure allows the ablation of circulating indoles produced by this gland. Withdrawal of systemic melatonin, a pineal hormone, affects animal circadian rhythms and induces several physiological changes that are the subject of many investigations. In this chapter, we describe the pinealectomy protocol adapted to rats. We describe the animal placement on the stereotaxic fixation system, and the procedure for the pineal gland removal and animal recovery from surgery.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Pinealectomy; Rats
PubMed: 36180676
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2593-4_7 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Jul 2023Cardiac dysfunction triggers immune-mediated loss of pineal gland melatonin release.
Cardiac dysfunction triggers immune-mediated loss of pineal gland melatonin release.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm
PubMed: 37471547
DOI: 10.1126/science.adj0217 -
Journal of Neurosurgery Aug 2015
Topics: Brain Diseases; Cysts; Female; Humans; Male; Patient Selection; Pineal Gland
PubMed: 26447234
DOI: No ID Found -
Clinical Radiology Feb 2022Lesions arising in or around the pineal gland comprise a heterogeneous group of pathologies ranging from benign non-neoplastic cysts to highly malignant neoplasms.... (Review)
Review
Lesions arising in or around the pineal gland comprise a heterogeneous group of pathologies ranging from benign non-neoplastic cysts to highly malignant neoplasms. Pineal cysts are frequently encountered as an incidental finding in daily radiology practice but there is no universal agreement on the criteria for, frequency of, and duration of follow-up imaging. Solid pineal neoplasms pose a diagnostic challenge owing to considerable overlap in their imaging characteristics, although a combination of radiological appearances, clinical findings, and tumour markers allows for narrowing of the differential diagnosis. In this review, we describe the radiological anatomy of the pineal region, clinical symptoms, imaging appearances, and differential diagnosis of lesions arising in this area, and highlight the clinical management of these conditions.
Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Cysts; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Pineal Gland; Pinealoma
PubMed: 34774298
DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2021.09.020