scholarly journals Possible Protective Role of Melatonin in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Neurodevelopmental Pathologies

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. e104-e109
Author(s):  
Antonio Molina-Carballo ◽  
Antonio Emilio Jerez-Calero ◽  
Antonio Muñoz-Hoyos

AbstractMelatonin, produced in every cell that possesses mitochondria, acts as an endogenous free radical scavenger, and improves energetic metabolism and immune function, by complex molecular crosstalk with other intracellular compounds. There is greatly increasing evidence regarding beneficial effects of acute and chronic administration of high melatonin doses, in infectious, developmental, and degenerative pathologies, as an endothelial cell and every cell protectant.

Surfaces ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-305
Author(s):  
Cristina Torrisi ◽  
Marco Di Guardia ◽  
Francesco Castelli ◽  
Maria Grazia Sarpietro

Naringenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone-7-rhamnoglucosideor naringenin-7-rhamnoglucoside), a flavonoid present in large quantities in citrus, has different beneficial effects on human health as an antioxidant, free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory, carbohydrate metabolism promoter, and immune system modulator. Different studies have shown that this substance also has a hypoglycemic and antihypertensive effect, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, and plays an important protective role in the heart tissue; moreover, it provides neuroprotection against various neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and unpredictable chronic stress-induced depression. Despite these advantages, Naringenin is poorly absorbed, and the small percentage absorbed is rapidly degraded by the liver, as a result losing its activity. Several approaches have been attempted to overcome these obstacles, among them, nanotechnology, with the use of Drug Delivery Systems (DDS) as Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) and Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC). DDS can, in fact, improve the drug bioavailability. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize SLN and NLC containing Naringenin and to evaluate the ability of these nanoparticles to release Naringenin at the cell level using biomembrane models represented by Multilamellar Vesicles (MLV). These studies were performed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, a powerful technique to detect the interaction of drugs and delivery systems with MLV. It was shown that Naringenin could be better incorporated into NLC with respect to SLN and that Naringenin could be released by NLC into the biomembrane model. Therefore, suggesting the administration of Naringenin loaded into nanoparticles could help avoid the disadvantages associated with the use of the free molecule.


2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Sutken ◽  
Erinc Aral ◽  
Filiz Ozdemir ◽  
Sema Uslu ◽  
Ozkan Alatas ◽  
...  

Melatonin (MEL) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) both display antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. In the present study, the effect of MEL and CoQ10 on the oxidative stress and fibrosis induced by ochratoxin A (OTA) administration in rats was investigated. Rats were divided into five equal groups, each consisting of seven rats: (1) controls; (2) OTA-treated rats (289 μg/kg/day); (3) OTA+MEL–treated rats (289 μg/kg/day OTA + 10 mg/kg/day MEL); and (4) OTA+CoQ10–treated rats (289 μg/kg/day OTA +1 mg/100 g/day body weight (bw) CoQ10). After 4 weeks of treatment, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) were measured in the homogenates of liver and kidney. In the OTA-treated group, the levels of MDA and Hyp in both liver and kidney were significantly increased when compared with the levels of control, whereas GPx activities decreased. In OTA+MEL–treated rats, the levels of MDA and Hyp in both liver and kidney were significantly decreased when compared with the levels of OTA-treated rats; however; GPX activities increased. In the OTA+CoQ10–treated group, the levels of MDA and Hyp were decreased when compared with the levels of OTA-treated rats, whereas GPx activities increased. In the OTA+CoQ 10–treated group, the levels of MDA, Hyp, and GPx were not significantly changed in kidney when compared with OTA-treated group. MEL has a protective effect against OTA toxicity through an inhibition of the oxidative damage and fibrosis both liver and kidney. Although CoQ10 has protective effect against OTA toxicity in liver tissue, it has no effect in kidney tissue.


1986 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 551-556 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Coles ◽  
S. Naeem Ahmed ◽  
Harendra U. Mehta ◽  
John C.E. Kaufmann

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1871
Author(s):  
Rita Martín-Ramírez ◽  
Rebeca González-Fernández ◽  
Jairo Hernández ◽  
Pablo Martín-Vasallo ◽  
Angela Palumbo ◽  
...  

An excess of oxidative stress (OS) may affect several physiological processes fundamental to reproduction. SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7 are involved in protection stress systems caused by OS, and they can be activated by antioxidants such as celastrol or melatonin. In this study, we evaluate SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7 gene expression in cultured human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells in response to OS inductors (glucose or peroxynitrite) and/or antioxidants. Our results show that celastrol and melatonin improve cell survival in the presence and absence of OS inductors. In addition, melatonin induced SIRT1, SIRT6 and SIRT7 gene expression while celastrol only induced SIRT7 gene expression. This response was not altered by the addition of OS inductors. Our previous data for cultured hGL cells showed a dual role of celastrol as a free radical scavenger and as a protective agent by regulating gene expression. This study shows a direct effect of celastrol on SIRT7 gene expression. Melatonin may protect from OS in a receptor-mediated manner rather than as a scavenger. In conclusion, our results show increased hGL cells survival with melatonin or celastrol treatment under OS conditions, probably through the regulation of nuclear sirtuins’ gene expression.


1993 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuji Okatani ◽  
Nobuyuki Morioka ◽  
Akihiko Wakatsuki ◽  
Yuji Nakano ◽  
Yusuke Sagara

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-251
Author(s):  
I. Kosugi ◽  
K. Tajimi ◽  
K. Okada

Reduced glytathione (GSH) is the tripeptide of glycine, cysteine and glutamic acid and is widely distributed in the body. FSH has been reported to comprise at least 90% of the nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH). Although the role of GSH in the tissue has not been clearly established, it is known to be a cofactor for enzymes, a substrate in detoxifications, and a free radical scavenger.Several investigators have reported that the level of NPSH, mainly GSH, in the tissue was decreased in several types of shock and that exogenous administration of GSH has beneficial effects on shock (1,2). This study was designed to evaluate the effects of GSH on the survival rate in mice and the hepatic energy metabolism in rats after administration of endotoxin. These results were compared with those of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MP), since many investigators have reported that the large doses of glucocorticoid have beneficial effects in several types of shock in experimental animals and in man (3,4).


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ravi Kumar ◽  
Parameswara Achutha Kurup

Background/aims:The isoprenoid pathway produces three key metabolites: endogenous digoxin (membrane sodium-potassium ATPase inhibitor, immunomodulator and regulator of neurotransmitter/amino acid transport), dolichol (regulates N-glycosylation of proteins) and ubiquinone (free radical scavenger). The role of the isoprenoid pathway in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in relation to hemispheric dominance was studied.Methods:The isoprenoid pathway-related cascade was assessed in patients with systemic sarcoidosis with pulmonary involvement. The pathway was also assessed in patients with right hemispheric, left hemispheric and bihemispheric dominance for comparison to find out the role of hemispheric dominance in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis.Results:In patients with sarcoidosis there was elevated digoxin synthesis, increased dolichol and glycoconjugate levels and low ubiquinone and elevated free radical levels. There was also an increase in tryptophan catabolites and a reduction in tyrosine catabolites. There was an increase in the cholesterol:phospholipid ratio and a reduction in the glycoconjugate level of red blood cell (RBC) membrane in this group of patients. The same biochemical patterns were obtained in individuals with right hemispheric dominance. In individuals with left hemispheric dominance the patterns were reversed.Conclusions:Endogenous digoxin, by activating the calcineurin signal transduction pathway of T cells, can contribute to immune activation in sarcoidosis. An altered glycoconjugate metabolism can lead to the generation of endogenous self-glycoprotein antigens in the lung as well as other tissues. Increased free radical generation can also lead to immune activation. The role of a dysfunctional isoprenoid pathway and endogenous digoxin in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis in relation to right hemispheric chemical dominance is discussed. All the patients with sarcoidosis were right-handed/left hemispheric dominant according to the dichotic listening test, but their biochemical patterns were suggestive of right hemispheric chemical dominance. Hemispheric chemical dominance has no correlation with handedness or the dichotic listening test.


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