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Abdallah N, Amer ME, Amer MA, El-Missiry MA, Othman AI. Melatonin mitigated methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity through interrelated biological processes. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:833. [PMID: 39039363 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09792-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatotoxicity associated with methotrexate (MTX) is mainly due to disruption of redox balance and development of oxidative injury to hepatocytes. Melatonin (MLT) is a potent antioxidant and regulates wide range of biological functions, processes and utilized as adjuvant for number of medical applications. The current study investigated the mitigating effect of MLT on the MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS AND RESULTS Adult male rats received MLT (25 mg/kg, orally) for seven days flowed by single injection of MTX (20 mg/kg, ip) then treat with MLT continued for additional 7 days. The present result showed MLT treatment mitigated histopathological changes in the liver that associated with normalization of ALT and AST activity as well as bilirubin, albumin and alfa-fetoprotein levels in serum of MLT + MTX-treated rat to comparable control level. MLT treatment significantly reduced MDA content and myeloperoxidase activity while enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione content in the liver indicating the empowerment of the antioxidant status. Amelioration of MLT-induced oxidative stress resulted in a reduction in the inflammatory response due to antioxidant restoration and inhibited apoptosis indicated by downregulation of caspase-3 expression. The replenishment of antioxidant content powers the defense system of the hepatocytes. As a result, apoptosis is reduced which might be due to the ability of MLT protect DNA integrity thus maintaining hepatocyte functions and structure. Consequently, liver histology was protected. CONCLUSIONS In summary, MLT modulates liver function and structure by orchestrating linked processes, including redox balance, inflammatory response, suppression of caspase-3, and DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noura Abdallah
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Maggie E Amer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Maher A Amer
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Azza I Othman
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
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Yavuz Türel G, Aslan Koşar P. Protective efficacy of ramelteon on methotrexate-induced DNA damage. Drug Chem Toxicol 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38984403 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2024.2375300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Ramelteon (RMLT) is a melatonin receptor agonist that it has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects associated with DNA damage through different mechanisms of action. In this regard, we investigated the potential usefulness of RMLT as a protective agent against methotrexate (MTX)-induced DNA damage. Four groups were constituted from 32 Wistar albino rats: Negative control, RMLT, MTX, and MTX + RMLT. Twenty mg/kg MTX (i.p., single dose) and RMLT 10 mg/kg (oral, 7 days) was administered. Comet assay was used and the parameter %TailDNA was used to detect DNA damage. %TailDNA was 4.90 ± 0.19 in the control group, 7.85 ± 0.33 in the MTX group, 5.49 ± 0.24 in the RMLT group, and 5.86 ± 0.23 in the MTX + RMLT group. While there was a significant increase in DNA damage in the MTX-treated group compared to the control group, there was a significant reduction in DNA damage in the MTX + RMLT group, compared to the MTX group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, it was observed that combined treatment with RMLT significantly reduced MTX-induced DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülçin Yavuz Türel
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Pınar Aslan Koşar
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey
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Samra T, Gomez-Gomez T, Linowiecka K, Akhundlu A, Lopez de Mendoza G, Gompels M, Lee WW, Gherardini J, Chéret J, Paus R. Melatonin Exerts Prominent, Differential Epidermal and Dermal Anti-Aging Properties in Aged Human Eyelid Skin Ex Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15963. [PMID: 37958946 PMCID: PMC10647640 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Human skin aging is associated with functional deterioration on multiple levels of physiology, necessitating the development of effective skin senotherapeutics. The well-tolerated neurohormone melatonin unfolds anti-aging properties in vitro and in vivo, but it remains unclear whether these effects translate to aged human skin ex vivo. We tested this in organ-cultured, full-thickness human eyelid skin (5-6 donors; 49-77 years) by adding melatonin to the culture medium, followed by the assessment of core aging biomarkers via quantitative immunohistochemistry. Over 6 days, 200 µM melatonin significantly downregulated the intraepidermal activity of the aging-promoting mTORC1 pathway (as visualized by reduced S6 phosphorylation) and MMP-1 protein expression in the epidermis compared to vehicle-treated control skin. Conversely, the transmembrane collagen 17A1, a key stem cell niche matrix molecule that declines with aging, and mitochondrial markers (e.g., TFAM, MTCO-1, and VDAC/porin) were significantly upregulated. Interestingly, 100 µM melatonin also significantly increased the epidermal expression of VEGF-A protein, which is required and sufficient for inducing human skin rejuvenation. In aged human dermis, melatonin significantly increased fibrillin-1 protein expression and improved fibrillin structural organization, indicating an improved collagen and elastic fiber network. In contrast, other key aging biomarkers (SIRT-1, lamin-B1, p16INK4, collagen I) remained unchanged. This ex vivo study provides proof of principle that melatonin indeed exerts long-suspected but never conclusively demonstrated and surprisingly differential anti-aging effects in aged human epidermis and dermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Samra
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Tatiana Gomez-Gomez
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Kinga Linowiecka
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
- Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Aysun Akhundlu
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Gabriella Lopez de Mendoza
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Matthew Gompels
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Wendy W. Lee
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Jennifer Gherardini
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Jérémy Chéret
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
| | - Ralf Paus
- Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33125, USA; (T.S.); (T.G.-G.); (K.L.); (A.A.); (J.G.); (J.C.)
- Monasterium Laboratory, 48149 Muenster, Germany
- CUTANEON—Skin & Hair Innovations, 22335 Hamburg, Germany
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Woldańska-Okońska M, Kubsik-Gidlewska A, Koszela K. Changes in Melatonin Concentration in a Clinical Observation Study under the Influence of Low-Frequency Magnetic Fields (Magnetic Stimulation in Men with Low Back Pain)-Results of Changes in an Eight-Point Circadian Profile. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15860. [PMID: 37958842 PMCID: PMC10648269 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the changes in melatonin concentration under the influence of magnetic stimulation in men with low back pain. A total of 15 men were used in this study, divided into two groups. In Group 1, consisting of seven men, the M1P1 Viofor JPS program was used twice a day for 8 min, at 08:00 and 13:00. In Group 2, consisting of eight men, the M2P2 Viofor JPS program was used once a day for 12 min at 10:00. The application was subjected to the whole body of patients. The treatments in both groups lasted 3 weeks, for 5 days each week, with breaks on weekends. The diurnal melatonin profile was determined the day before exposure and the day after the last treatment, as well as at one-month follow-up. Blood samples were collected eight times a day. In both programs, magnetic stimulation did not reduce the nocturnal peak of melatonin concentration. After exposure, prolonged secretion of melatonin was observed until the morning hours. The impact of the magnetic field was maintained 1 month after the end of the application. The effect of the magnetic field was maintained for 1 month from the end of the application, which confirms the thesis about the occurrence of the phenomenon of biological hysteresis. The parameters of the magnetic fields, the application system, and the time and length of the application may affect the secretion of melatonin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Woldańska-Okońska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Medical University, 90-419 Lodz, Poland; (M.W.-O.); (A.K.-G.)
| | - Anna Kubsik-Gidlewska
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Medical University, 90-419 Lodz, Poland; (M.W.-O.); (A.K.-G.)
| | - Kamil Koszela
- Department of Neuroorthopedics and Neurology Clinic and Polyclinic, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland
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Reiter RJ, Sharma R, Tan DX, Huang G, de Almeida Chuffa LG, Anderson G. Melatonin modulates tumor metabolism and mitigates metastasis. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2023; 18:321-336. [PMID: 37466337 DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2237103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Melatonin, originally isolated from the mammalian pineal gland, was subsequently identified in many animal cell types and in plants. While melatonin was discovered to inhibit cancer more than 5 decades ago, its anti-cancer potential has not been fully exploited despite its lack of serious toxicity over a very wide dose range, high safety margin, and its efficacy. AREAS COVERED This review elucidates the potential mechanisms by which melatonin interferes with tumor growth and metastasis, including its ability to alter tumor cell metabolism, inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition, reverse cancer chemoresistance, function synergistically with conventional cancer-inhibiting drugs while limiting many of their side effects. In contrast to its function as a potent antioxidant in normal cells, it may induce oxidative stress in cancer cells, contributing to its oncostatic actions. EXPERT OPINION Considering the large amount of experimental data supporting melatonin's multiple and varied inhibitory effects on numerous cancer types, coupled with the virtual lack of toxicity of this molecule, it has not been thoroughly tested as an anti-cancer agent in clinical trials. There seems to be significant resistance to such investigations, possibly because melatonin is inexpensive and non-patentable, and as a result there would be limited financial gain for its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Ramaswamy Sharma
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Dun-Xian Tan
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gang Huang
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Long School of Medicine, San Antonio, TX, USA
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Afsharmanesh MR, Mohammadi Z, Mansourian AR, Jafari SM. A Review of micro RNAs changes in T2DM in animals and humans. J Diabetes 2023; 15:649-664. [PMID: 37329278 PMCID: PMC10415875 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its associated complications have become a crucial public health concern in the world. According to the literature, chronic inflammation and the progression of T2DM have a close relationship. Accumulated evidence suggests that inflammation enhances the insulin secretion lost by islets of Langerhans and the resistance of target tissues to insulin action, which are two critical features in T2DM development. Based on recently highlighted research that plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 are elevated in insulin-resistant and T2DM, and it raises novel question marks about the processes causing inflammation in both situations. Over the past few decades, microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short, noncoding RNA molecules, have been discovered to be involved in the regulation of inflammation, insulin resistance, and T2DM pathology. These noncoding RNAs are specifically comprised of RNA-induced silencing complexes and regulate the expression of specific protein-coding genes through various mechanisms. There is extending evidence that describes the expression profile of a special class of miRNA molecules altered during T2DM development. These modifications can be observed as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of T2DM and related diseases. In this review study, after reviewing the possible mechanisms involved in T2DM pathophysiology, we update recent information on the miRNA roles in T2DM, inflammation, and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Reza Afsharmanesh
- Metabolic Disorders Research CenterGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of MedicineGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
| | - Zeinab Mohammadi
- Metabolic Disorders Research CenterGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of MedicineGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
| | - Azad Reza Mansourian
- Metabolic Disorders Research CenterGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of MedicineGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
| | - Seyyed Mehdi Jafari
- Metabolic Disorders Research CenterGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of MedicineGolestan University of Medical SciencesGorganIran
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Heydari N, Mahdizadeh M, Jafari SM. The evolving landscape of involvement of DTYMK enzymes in cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:213. [PMID: 37358701 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02086-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer cells require continuous synthesis of nucleotides for their uncontrolled proliferation. Deoxy thymidylate kinase (DTYMK) belongs to the thymidylate kinase family and is concerned with pyrimidine metabolism. DTYMK catalyzes the ATP-based conversion of deoxy-TMP to deoxy-TDP in both de novo and salvage pathways. Different studies demonstrated that DTYMK was increased in various types of cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, lung cancer, etc. Increased level of DTYMK was associated with poorer survival and prognosis, stage, grade and size of tumor, cell proliferation, colony formation, enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs, migration. Some studies were showed that knockdown of DTYMK reduced the signaling pathway of PI3K/AKT and downregulated expression of CART, MAPKAPK2, AKT1 and NRF1. Moreover, some microRNAs could suppress DTYMK expressions. On the other hand based on the TIMER database, the infiltration of macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, B cells, CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell is affected by DTYMK. In the present review, we describe the genomic location, protein structure and isoforms of DTYMK and focus on its role in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Heydari
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahsa Mahdizadeh
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyyed Mehdi Jafari
- Metabolic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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Mao HT, Chen LX, Zhang MY, Shi QY, Xu H, Zhang DY, Zhang ZW, Yuan M, Yuan S, Zhang HY, Su YQ, Chen YE. Melatonin improves the removal and the reduction of Cr(VI) and alleviates the chromium toxicity by antioxidative machinery in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:120973. [PMID: 36584859 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Bioremediation with photosynthetic bacteria (PSB) is thought to be a promising removal method for hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)]-containing wastewater. In the present study, Rhodobacter sphaeroides (R. sphaeroides) SC01 was used for the investigation of Cr(VI) removal in Cr(VI)-contaminated solution in the presence of melatonin. It was found that exogenous melatonin alleviated oxidative damage to R. sphaeroides SC01, increased Cr (VI) absorption capacity of cell membrane, and improved the reduction efficiency of Cr(VI) via the activation of chromate reductants. The results showed that melatonin could further promote the increase in Cr(VI) removal efficiency, reaching up to 97.8%. Furthermore, melatonin application resulted in 296.9%, 44.4%, and 69.7% upregulation of ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH), and cysteine (Cys) relative to non-melatioin treated R. sphaeroides SC01 at 48 h. In addition, the resting cells, cell-free supernatants (CFS), and cell-free extracts (CFE) with melatonin had a higher Cr(VI) removal rate of 18.6%, 82.0%, and 15.2% compared with non-melatonin treated R. sphaeroides SC01. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that melatonin increased the binding of Cr(III) with PO43- and CO groups on cell membrane of R. sphaeroides SC01. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis demonstrated that melatonin remarkably bioprecipitated the production of CrPO4·6H2O in R. sphaeroides SC01. Hence, these results indicated that melatonin plays the important role in the reduction and uptake of Cr(VI), demonstrating it is a great promising strategy for the management of Cr(VI) contaminated wastewater in photosynthetic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Tian Mao
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Lun-Xing Chen
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Meng-Ying Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Qiu-Yun Shi
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Hong Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Da-Yan Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Zhong-Wei Zhang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Yuan
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Shu Yuan
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, 611130, Chengdu, China
| | - Huai-Yu Zhang
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China
| | - Yan-Qiu Su
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Normal University, 610066, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang-Er Chen
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, 625014, Ya'an, China.
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Cosme P, Rodríguez AB, Garrido M, Espino J. Coping with Oxidative Stress in Reproductive Pathophysiology and Assisted Reproduction: Melatonin as an Emerging Therapeutical Tool. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 12:antiox12010086. [PMID: 36670948 PMCID: PMC9854935 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is an increasing global public health concern with socio-psychological implications for affected couples. Remarkable advances in reproductive medicine have led to successful treatments such as assisted reproductive techniques (ART). However, the search for new therapeutic tools to improve ART success rates has become a research hotspot. In the last few years, pineal indolamine melatonin has been investigated for its powerful antioxidant properties and its role in reproductive physiology. It is considered a promising therapeutical agent to counteract the detrimental effects associated with oxidative stress in fertility treatments. The aim of the present narrative review was to summarize the current state of the art on the importance of melatonin in reproductive physiology and to provide a critical evaluation of the data available encompassing basic, translational and clinical studies on its potential use in ART to improve fertility success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - María Garrido
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (J.E.); Tel.: +34-924289796 (M.G. & J.E.)
| | - Javier Espino
- Correspondence: (M.G.); (J.E.); Tel.: +34-924289796 (M.G. & J.E.)
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Loh D, Reiter RJ. Melatonin: Regulation of Viral Phase Separation and Epitranscriptomics in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8122. [PMID: 35897696 PMCID: PMC9368024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The relentless, protracted evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus imposes tremendous pressure on herd immunity and demands versatile adaptations by the human host genome to counter transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic alterations associated with a wide range of short- and long-term manifestations during acute infection and post-acute recovery, respectively. To promote viral replication during active infection and viral persistence, the SARS-CoV-2 envelope protein regulates host cell microenvironment including pH and ion concentrations to maintain a high oxidative environment that supports template switching, causing extensive mitochondrial damage and activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling cascades. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial distress induce dynamic changes to both the host and viral RNA m6A methylome, and can trigger the derepression of long interspersed nuclear element 1 (LINE1), resulting in global hypomethylation, epigenetic changes, and genomic instability. The timely application of melatonin during early infection enhances host innate antiviral immune responses by preventing the formation of "viral factories" by nucleocapsid liquid-liquid phase separation that effectively blockades viral genome transcription and packaging, the disassembly of stress granules, and the sequestration of DEAD-box RNA helicases, including DDX3X, vital to immune signaling. Melatonin prevents membrane depolarization and protects cristae morphology to suppress glycolysis via antioxidant-dependent and -independent mechanisms. By restraining the derepression of LINE1 via multifaceted strategies, and maintaining the balance in m6A RNA modifications, melatonin could be the quintessential ancient molecule that significantly influences the outcome of the constant struggle between virus and host to gain transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic dominance over the host genome during acute infection and PASC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris Loh
- Independent Researcher, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA;
| | - Russel J. Reiter
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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