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International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2023Melatonin, an endogenous hormone mainly released at night by the pineal gland, has multifaceted biofunctions. Emerging evidence points to melatonin having a crucial role... (Review)
Review
Melatonin, an endogenous hormone mainly released at night by the pineal gland, has multifaceted biofunctions. Emerging evidence points to melatonin having a crucial role in kidney health and disease. As the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is still rising, a superior strategy to advance global kidney health is needed to not just treat CKD, but prevent it early on. Adult kidney disease can have its origins in early life. This review aims to evaluate the recent literature regarding melatonin's effect on kidney development, its clinical uses in the early stage of life, animal models documenting preventive applications of melatonin on offspring's kidney-related disease, and a thorough summary of therapeutic considerations concerning melatonin supplementation.
Topics: Animals; Melatonin; Kidney; Pineal Gland; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Models, Animal; Circadian Rhythm
PubMed: 37175813
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098105 -
PloS One 2021Melatonin (MLT) is a biological modulator of circadian and seasonal rhythms and reproduction. The photoperiodic information is detected by retinal photoreceptors and...
Melatonin (MLT) is a biological modulator of circadian and seasonal rhythms and reproduction. The photoperiodic information is detected by retinal photoreceptors and transmitted through nerve transmissions to the pineal gland, where MLT is synthesized and secreted at night into the blood. MLT interacts with two G protein-coupled receptors, MT1 and MT2. The aim of our work was to provide evidence for the presence of MLT receptors in the ovine pineal gland and define their involvement on melatonin secretion. For the first time, we identified the expression of MLT receptors with the specific 2-[125I]-MLT agonistic radioligand in ovin pinealocytes. The values of Kd and Bmax are 2.24 ± 1.1 nM and 20 ± 6.8 fmol/mg. MLT receptors are functional and inhibit cAMP production and activate ERK1/2 through pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/o proteins. The MLT receptor antagonist/ inverse agonist luzindole increased cAMP production (189 ± 30%) and MLT secretion (866 ± 13%). The effect of luzindole on MLT secretion was additive with the effect of well-described activators of this pathway such as the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol and the α-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. Co-incubation of all three compounds increased MLT secretion by 1236 ± 199%. These results suggest that MLT receptors are involved in the negative regulation of the synthesis of its own ligand in pinealocytes. While adrenergic receptors promote MLT secretion, MLT receptors mitigate this effect to limit the quantity of MLT secreted by the pineal gland.
Topics: Animals; Photoperiod; Pineal Gland; Receptors, Melatonin; Sheep; Synaptic Transmission
PubMed: 34324562
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255249 -
Neurosurgical Focus: Video Jan 2024The occipital approach for pineal tumors was first described by James Poppen in 1966. Since then, it has been widely used for accessing deep-seated tumors as it offers a...
The occipital approach for pineal tumors was first described by James Poppen in 1966. Since then, it has been widely used for accessing deep-seated tumors as it offers a wider surgical view than the supracerebellar transtentorial approach. This video demonstrates the technical nuances of the occipital transtentorial approach and the exoscopic dissection of a pineal gland tumor in a 66-year-old male. Use of the exoscope over the microscope provides certain ergonomic advantages and improves surgical workflow, as demonstrated here. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23161.
PubMed: 38283813
DOI: 10.3171/2023.10.FOCVID23161 -
Journal of Pineal Research Mar 2021Our daily rhythmicity is controlled by a circadian clock with a specific set of genes located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. Mast cells (MCs) are... (Review)
Review
Our daily rhythmicity is controlled by a circadian clock with a specific set of genes located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus. Mast cells (MCs) are major effector cells that play a protective role against pathogens and inflammation. MC distribution and activation are associated with the circadian rhythm via two major pathways, IgE/FcεRI- and IL-33/ST2-mediated signaling. Furthermore, there is a robust oscillation between clock genes and MC-specific genes. Melatonin is a hormone derived from the amino acid tryptophan and is produced primarily in the pineal gland near the center of the brain, and histamine is a biologically active amine synthesized from the decarboxylation of the amino acid histidine by the L-histidine decarboxylase enzyme. Melatonin and histamine are previously reported to modulate circadian rhythms by pathways incorporating various modulators in which the nuclear factor-binding near the κ light-chain gene in B cells, NF-κB, is the common key factor. NF-κB interacts with the core clock genes and disrupts the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine mediators such as IL-6, IL-13, and TNF-α. Currently, there has been no study evaluating the interdependence between melatonin and histamine with respect to circadian oscillations in MCs. Accumulating evidence suggests that restoring circadian rhythms in MCs by targeting melatonin and histamine via NF-κB may be promising therapeutic strategy for MC-mediated inflammatory diseases. This review summarizes recent findings for circadian-mediated MC functional roles and activation paradigms, as well as the therapeutic potentials of targeting circadian-mediated melatonin and histamine signaling in MC-dependent inflammatory diseases.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Histamine; Histidine Decarboxylase; Humans; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-6; Mast Cells; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
PubMed: 33020940
DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12699 -
European Review For Medical and... Oct 2015The pineal gland calcifications have been associated with some diseases such as cerebral infarction, Alzheimer's disease and intracerebral hemorrhage while most cases...
OBJECTIVE
The pineal gland calcifications have been associated with some diseases such as cerebral infarction, Alzheimer's disease and intracerebral hemorrhage while most cases are considered idiopathic and physiologic. However, there are limited data in the current literature about the association of pineal calcification and migraine. Our aim was to evaluate this association between migraine and pineal calcification by computed tomography of the brain.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In our study, we assessed the computed tomography images of patients, who referred to the neurology outpatient clinic with the complaint of headache and were diagnosed with migraine without aura based according to 2004 criteria of the International Headache Society. 503 migraine patients and 500 control subjects without migraine diagnosis were included in this study.
RESULTS
When migraine and control groups were compared by pineal calcification, the rates were determined as 80, 6% and 55% in migraine and control group, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, it was seen that pineal calcifications, detected in migraine patients, did not show age-related increase.
CONCLUSIONS
According to our data, we can point that pineal calcification may be associated with migraine.
Topics: Adult; Calcinosis; Cerebral Hemorrhage; Female; Humans; Male; Migraine Disorders; Pineal Gland; Single-Blind Method; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Young Adult
PubMed: 26531271
DOI: No ID Found -
Identifying daily changes in circRNAs and circRNA-associated-ceRNA networks in the rat pineal gland.International Journal of Medical... 2021Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of covalently closed circular RNA molecules that are involved in many biological processes. However, information about circRNAs...
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of covalently closed circular RNA molecules that are involved in many biological processes. However, information about circRNAs in the pineal gland, particularly that of rats, is limited. To establish resources for the study of the rat pineal gland, we performed transcriptome analysis of the pineal glands during the day and night. In this study, 1413 circRNAs and 1989 miRNAs were identified in the pineal gland of rats during the night and day using the Illumina platform. Forty differentially expressed circRNAs and 93 differentially expressed miRNAs were obtained, among which 20 circRNAs and 37 miRNAs were significantly upregulated during the day and 20 circRNAs and 56 miRNAs were significantly upregulated during the night. As circRNAs have been reported to work as miRNA sponges, we predicted 15940 interactions among 40 circRNAs, 93 miRNAs and 400 mRNAs with differential diurnal expression using miRanda and TargetScan to build a ceRNA regulatory network in the rat pineal gland. The diurnal expression profile of circRNAs in the rat pineal gland may provide additional information about the role of circRNAs in regulating changes in melatonin circadian rhythms. The analyzed data reported in this study will be an important resource for future studies to elucidate the altered physiology of circRNAs in diurnal rhythms.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Rhythm; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Regulatory Networks; Male; Melatonin; MicroRNAs; Models, Animal; Photoperiod; Pineal Gland; RNA, Circular; RNA, Messenger; Rats
PubMed: 33526984
DOI: 10.7150/ijms.51743 -
Annals of Neurosciences Dec 2018Inedia (Latin for "fasting") is the ability of a person to live without consuming food and water and to sustain solely by prana, the vital life force in Hinduism....
BACKGROUND
Inedia (Latin for "fasting") is the ability of a person to live without consuming food and water and to sustain solely by prana, the vital life force in Hinduism. According to Ayurveda, sunlight is one of the main sources of prana, and some practitioners believe that it is possible for a person to survive on sunlight alone.
PURPOSE
In this study, we report the unusual sizes and volumes of both the pineal and pituitary glands in a subject with inedia state for nearly 70 years.
METHODS
The pineal and pituitary glands were located in the MRI of the subject from coronal, axial, and sagittal images. Segmentation of the pineal and pituitary glands was performed using level set active contours method.
RESULTS
The overall volume, size, and shape of the glands were calculated as 38.7604 mm for the pineal gland and 272.552 mm for the pituitary gland and compared with that of the normal volumes (94.2 ± 40.65 mm and 320-718 mm respectively).
CONCLUSION
It was found that the subject has significantly low pineal and pituitary volumes, which fall under the category of normal young child and we could show that the neurohormonal morphology of inedia subject is within childhood range.
PubMed: 31000968
DOI: 10.1159/000487067 -
Journal of Neurosciences in Rural... 2023Pineal cysts are usually benign, fluid-filled sacs and most pineal cysts are asymptomatic. Sudden death specifically related to pineal cysts is extremely uncommon. A...
Pineal cysts are usually benign, fluid-filled sacs and most pineal cysts are asymptomatic. Sudden death specifically related to pineal cysts is extremely uncommon. A literature review of the pertinent databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, was carried out to review the existing literature describing sudden death in patients with pineal cysts. In the evaluation of 49 articles, it was found that four reports discussed the unexpected death of patients who had pineal cysts. A total of four cases of sudden death and a pineal cyst were reported. There were 75% females and a mean age of 29 (range: 20-45). Cyst size on average was 1.3 cm (1.2-1.5). In each case, the cause of death and the involvement of important brain structures were confirmed by autopsy results. A pathological analysis of the pineal region and the surrounding brain tissue revealed a variety of lesions. Vascular malformation was found in one case, adding another layer of complexity to the study of sudden death syndrome. In this research, the authors highlight the fact that patients with pineal cysts can experience serious, even fatal, complications. Increased vigilance and early detection through neuroimaging and neurological assessments are required due to the wide variety of clinical manifestations and underlying mechanisms. To explain the mechanism and enhance the management and prevention of sudden deaths associated with pineal cysts, additional research with larger sample sizes is required.
PubMed: 38059255
DOI: 10.25259/JNRP_421_2023 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021In rodents, the melatonin production by the pineal gland is controlled through adrenergic signaling from the suprachiasmatic nuclei and regulation of the principal...
In rodents, the melatonin production by the pineal gland is controlled through adrenergic signaling from the suprachiasmatic nuclei and regulation of the principal enzyme in its synthesis, arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT). In the present study, we identified increased isoprenaline-induced expression and nocturnal AANAT activity in the pineal glands in response to the silencing of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) with siRNA or STAT3 inhibitors WP1066 and AZD1480. This AANAT activity enhancement in vivo did not interfere with light-induced AANAT suppression. Systemic or in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration markedly increased expression and STAT3 phosphorylation, but it did not significantly affect AANAT expression or activity. Simultaneous LPS administration and silencing enhanced the transcription and AANAT activity to a similar extent as inhibition without LPS co-administration. Furthermore, we describe the circadian rhythmicity in expression and the phosphorylated form of STAT3 protein in the rat pineal gland. Our data suggest that the higher nocturnal endogenous level of STAT3 in the pineal gland decelerates or hampers the process of NA-induced AANAT activation or affects the AANAT enzyme stability.
PubMed: 34685476
DOI: 10.3390/life11101105 -
Biomolecules Mar 2024In all mammals, the circulating pool of MLTs is synthesized in the pineal gland during the night's darkness hours. Its main function is synchronizing the organism in the... (Review)
Review
In all mammals, the circulating pool of MLTs is synthesized in the pineal gland during the night's darkness hours. Its main function is synchronizing the organism in the photoperiod. In contrast, extra-pineal MLT is synthesized in peripheral organs, does not follow any circadian rhythm or circulate, and plays a detoxifying and cytoprotective role. Circulating MLT may stimulate both innate and acquired immune responses through its circadian action and by activating high-affinity receptors on immunocompetent cells. Extra-pineal MLT may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that dampen the innate immune response. These two seemingly divergent roles may be considered to be two sides of the same coin. In fact, the integration of both circulating and extra-pineal MLT functions might generate a balanced and effective immune response against microbial pathogens. The studies described in this review investigated the effects of exogenous MLT in various models of infectious diseases using extremely different doses and treatment schedules. None of them evaluated the possibility of integrating the non-circadian anti-inflammatory effect with the circadian immunoenhancing action of MLT. As a consequence, in spite of the fact that most studies agree that MLT has a beneficial effect against infections, it seems difficult to draw any definite conclusion about its possible therapeutic use.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Melatonin; Pineal Gland; Antioxidants; Circadian Rhythm; Parasitic Diseases; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Mammals
PubMed: 38540774
DOI: 10.3390/biom14030356