The level of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin in the brain of male rats: diurnal variations and effects of pinealectomy

Extrapineal melatonin: sources, regulation, and potential functions

Endogenous melatonin is synthesized from tryptophan via 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is considered an indoleamine from a biochemical point of view because the melatonin molecule contains a substituted indolic ring with an amino group. The circadian production of melatonin by the pineal gland explains its chronobiotic influence on organismal activity, including the endocrine and non-endocrine rhythms. Other functions of melatonin, including its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its genomic effects, and its capacity to modulate mitochondrial homeostasis, are linked to the redox status of cells and tissues. With the aid of specific melatonin antibodies, the presence of melatonin has been detected in multiple extrapineal tissues including the brain, retina, lens, cochlea, Harderian gland, airway epithelium, skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, thyroid, pancreas, thymus, spleen, immune system cells, carotid body, reproductive tract, and endothelial cells. In most of these tissues, the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes have been identified. Melatonin is present in essentially all biological fluids including cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, bile, synovial fluid, amniotic fluid, and breast milk. In several of these fluids, melatonin concentrations exceed those in the blood. The importance of the continual availability of melatonin at the cellular level is important for its physiological regulation of cell homeostasis, and may be relevant to its therapeutic applications. Because of this, it is essential to compile information related to its peripheral production and regulation of this ubiquitously acting indoleamine. Thus, this review emphasizes the presence of melatonin in extrapineal organs, tissues, and fluids of mammals including humans.

Short-term effects of melatonin and pinealectomy on serotonergic neuronal activity across the light-dark cycle

Melatonin (MLT) and serotonin (5-HT) are two biosynthetically related compounds implicated in several common physiological functions and the etiology of mood disorders. How they interact, though, is not yet fully understood. In this study, single-unit extracellular recordings were used to monitor dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) 5-HT neuronal activity in anesthetized rats, under basal conditions (CTRL), in response to MLT administration, and after pinealectomy (PX) across the light-dark cycle. Under basal conditions, the number of spontaneously active 5-HT neurons and their firing rate were both significantly lower in the dark phase. In the light phase, administration of MLT at low doses (0.5-1 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased 5-HT firing activity. This inhibitory effect of MLT was completely blocked by the MT₁/MT₂ receptor antagonist luzindole, but not by the selective MT(2) receptor antagonist 4P-PDOT, the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY100635, or by the α₂ adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan. In the opposite experiment, PX increased 5-HT firing activity in the dark phase, and this was reversed by MLT administration (1 mg/kg, i.v.). Finally, in a forced swim test, MLT (1 mg/kg, i.p.) increased immobility time and decreased swimming behavior. Together, these results suggest that nocturnal MLT secretion imposes tonic inhibitory control over a sub-population of DR 5-HT neurons. This MLT-induced decrease in 5-HT neurotransmission may represent a biological mechanism underlying mood disorders characterized by increased MLT secretion, such as seasonal affective disorder.

Evidence for melatonin synthesis in the rat brain during development

Melatonin production is not restricted to the pineal gland. Several extrapineal sources of this indole such as retina, Harderian gland, and immune system are well documented. Melatonin of pineal origin is not present in the rat at early stages of development. To assess the potential capacity of local melatonin synthesis by the immature brain and to gain insight into the relationship between melatonin production by the brain (without the pineal gland) and pineal gland during rat development, the melatonin content as well as the expression and activity of the melatonin-synthesizing enzymes, N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), were studied at fetal and postnatal stages. Moreover, melatonin-membrane receptor (MT(1)) expression was also analyzed. Both, the expression and activity of NAT and HIOMT were found in the brain with significant day/night differences in enzymes activities. Additionally, melatonin content was detected in all stages showing day/night differences depending on the stage of development. The brain nocturnal melatonin content was higher than diurnal content on postnatal day 16 and in adult rats which is in accordance with the pineal melatonin synthesis. To investigate the origin of this brain melatonin, pinealectomized rats were used and we found that the developing brain produced its own melatonin. Also, MT(1) expression was detected in brain during development. These results demonstrate that, when the pineal is not yet producing melatonin, there is melatonin synthesis by the brain that could be used as protection from free radical damage and/or could exert some actions through MT(1) receptors.

Melatonin synthesis and melatonin-membrane receptor (MT1) expression during rat thymus development: role of the pineal gland

To gain insight into the relationship between thymus and pineal gland during rat development, the melatonin content as well as the activity and expression of the two key enzymes for melatonin biosynthesis, i.e. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), were studied in the thymus at fetal and postnatal stages. Moreover, melatonin-membrane receptor (MT1) expression was also analyzed. We found both the expression and activity of thymic NAT and HIOMT at 18 days of fetal life. Additionally, there is production of melatonin in the thymus as well as MT1 expression at this fetal age. These results show values higher in day-time than at night-time. The pineal gland begins to produce significant levels of melatonin around postnatal day 16, and this synthesis shows a circadian rhythm with high values during the dark period; therefore the nocturnal serum melatonin may inhibit thymic melatonin production. To document this, we report an increased melatonin content of the thymus in pinealectomized rats compared with sham-pinealectomized. In conclusion, these results show, for the first time, the presence of the biosynthetic machinery of melatonin and melatonin production in developing rat thymus and that the pineal gland may regulate this process.

Pinealectomy: behavioral and neuropathological consequences in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model

This experiment determined if pinealectomy (PX) affects the consequences of chronic, moderate brain ischemia. Rats were pinealectomized at 25 days of age and trained at 9 months on a tactile radial maze. They then underwent permanent occlusion of the common carotid arteries (2VO) or sham surgery, followed by maze retraining and then neurohistological assessment at 16 months. Combined PX + 2VO rats committed more working memory errors on the maze. 2VO itself caused a 10% reduction in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell number. PX alone caused a 21% reduction. Combined PX and 2VO caused the greatest reduction (32%) of CA1 cells. Similar results were seen for CA4. PX also increased glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity in both CA1 and CA4. Thus PX not only augmented the consequences of chronic brain ischemia but notably, PX itself caused hippocampal damage. These effects seemed not to result from the small cortical lesion caused by the PX procedure. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous melatonin is a neuroprotectant in the aging brain.

Melatonin levels in the gastrointestinal tissues of fish, amphibians, and a reptile

Melatonin was detected by radioimmunoassay in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of several species of fish (sturgeon, rainbow trout, carp), amphibians (axolotl, leopard frog, bullfrog), and one reptile (red-sided garter snake), which were sacrificed during the daytime. The highest levels of melatonin were detected in the snake [means = 1018 pg/g stomach, 328 pg/g proximal gut (PG), 511 distal gut (DG)] and carp (means = 102 pg/g stomach, 146 pg/g PG and 141 pg/g DG). Lowest levels were found in the axolotl (means = 44 pg/g stomach and PG, 92 pg/g DG) and the bullfrog (means = 73 pg/g esophagus, 78 pg/g stomach, 20 pg/g PG, and 152 pg/g DG). In most cases there were no statistically significant differences in the melatonin levels among various GIT tissues of the same species but there were differences in tissue levels between different species.

Melatonin concentrations in serum and tissues of porcine gastrointestinal tract and their relationship to the intake and passage of food

Melatonin concentrations were determined in serum and 10 segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of 48 pigs (100 kg weight). The animals were fasted for 30 hr and then sacrificed 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 hr after refeeding. Peak amount of gastric digesta (2,428 g) and ileum digesta (850 g) were observed 1 hr and 5 hr, after refeeding, respectively. Conversely, colon content reached a minimal weight (726 g) at 2 hr after refeeding. Serum levels of melatonin increased from 3.4 pg/ml to 15.5 pg/ml (peak 5 hr after refeeding). Melatonin levels in GIT tissues before refeeding varied from 23.8 pg/g (stomach-fundus) to 62.1 pg/g (rectum). Increasingly higher levels of melatonin were detected in the distal segments of the GIT. Higher melatonin levels after refeeding were observed in most GIT tissues except the rectum. In most tissues, peak melatonin values were detected 5 hr after refeeding. A significant change in weight of digesta across time (P < 0.05) was detected in the stomach, ileum, and cecum. Similar changes in melatonin levels across time were found in most tissues except the esophagus, stomach (cardia and pylorus), and rectum. Adjacent GIT tissues exhibited similar (P < 0.05) melatonin levels. The GIT melatonin levels correlated best with the variation of digesta weight in the ileum. In addition, the increase of serum melatonin levels correlated best with the increase of GIT melatonin levels in the distal part of the GIT. Our results suggest that melatonin produced in the ileum, cecum, and colon may contribute significantly to the short-term increase of serum melatonin levels observed after refeeding.

Diurnal variation in the effect of melatonin on neurohypophysial hormone release from the rat hypothalamus

Secretion of neurohypophysial hormones can show a diurnal variation. This has been investigated further in rats maintained on 14 h light:10 h dark using a previously validated in vitro technique employing hypothalami obtained at three different times, 2-3 h after lights on (group A), 13-14 h after lights on (group B), and at 4-5 h after lights off (group C). Hormone release under basal conditions and following stimulation with 40 mM KCl was monitored with or without added melatonin in the concentration range 4.3-43 nM. Basal release of hormone was not influenced by the time of day when the animals were taken, although stimulated release was elevated at midnight. In groups A and B both doses of melatonin significantly reduced basal and stimulated release of vasopressin and basal release of oxytocin (p < 0.01), although no effect was seen in group C animals. Inhibition of stimulated oxytocin release was only produced in group B. These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of melatonin depends on the time of day and are consistent with the suggestion that melatonin secretion during the dark period may acutely downregulate binding sites in the brain.

The role of serotonin and melatonin in gastrointestinal physiology: ontogeny, regulation of food intake, and mutual serotonin-melatonin feedback

Average levels of melatonin in the brain and the gastrointestinal (GIT) tissues of newborn mice declined dramatically during the first week postnatally. Food consumption increased considerably in mice bearing subcutaneous serotonin (5-HT) implants (2 mg). Melatonin implants (2 mg) also increased overall consumption but to a lesser degree. Both 5-HT and melatonin implants (2 mg) increased water content of mice fecal pellets, albeit the melatonin effect was less pronounced. Serotonin implants (2,4,6 mg/mouse) increased melatonin levels in brain, jejunum, ileum, and colon, but the effect was not dose-dependent. Intraperitoneally administered melatonin (5, 20 and 200 ug/mouse) elevated melatonin levels in brain and GIT tissues more than 100 times that of the controls, but the effect was not dose-dependent. In contrast, intraperitoneal administration of melatonin (5, 50, and 200 ug) in mice bearing a 5-HT implant (2 mg) resulted in only 3-7 times higher melatonin levels in the GIT as compared to controls, and the brain levels of melatonin were actually lower. A feedback system between 5-HT and melatonin is proposed that regulates appetite and digestive processes by endocrine as well as paracrine effects in both the brain and the GIT.

Diurnal variation and binding characteristics of melatonin in the mouse brain and gastrointestinal tissues

1. Compared to night time values, levels of melatonin (M), determined by specific RIA, were lower in the brain and the duodenum-jejunum segment of mice sacrificed in mid-photophase. In other parts of the gut no significant diurnal difference was observed. 2. Highest daytime levels were detected in the stomach (569 pg/ml), lowest in the brain (62 pg/ml). 3. Preliminary studies indicate the presence of specific binding sites for [125I]iodo-melatonin in the colon, ileum, jejunum, stomach and brain. These sites, which exhibit an affinity of about 1 nM, may be involved in mediating the gastrointestinal and central effects of melatonin in this species.

The effect of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) on food consumption, food transit time and melatonin levels in the brain and the digestive tract of mice

1. Food consumption (FC), food transit time (FTT) and melatonin levels in the brain and the digestive tract were determined in control and PCPA-treated mice. 2. FC first increased and then rapidly declined; later returned to its original level. 3. FTT was 22% faster in PCPA treated mice on day 1 but then reached the control levels at day 18. 4. Melatonin levels were higher in PCPA treated mice in the brain, and in all GIT tissues, except the stomach. 5. The described data are consistent with some actions observed after serotonin administration. This paradoxical effect of PCPA is explained by a compensatory feedback mechanism.

The effect of food deprivation on brain and gastrointestinal tissue levels of tryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and melatonin

In order to investigate the effect of food deprivation on the levels of indoles in the brain and the gastrointestinal tissues, we have determined tissue levels of tryptophan (TRP), serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and melatonin in the brain and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of mice on ad libitum diet as well as in mice deprived of food for 24 and 48 hr. The reduction of food intake 1) had no effect on TRP levels in the brain, but increased TRP concentrations in the stomach and the gut, especially in the colon; 2) decreased 5-HT levels in the brain, but increased values in the stomach and the intestines; 3) decreased 5-HIAA levels in the brain, but increased them in the stomach and the intestines; 4) did not change 5-HT conversion to 5-HIAA in the brain, stomach, and the jejunum, but increased the conversion in the ileum and colon and; 5) increased melatonin levels in all tissues investigated, particularly in the stomach and the brain. The changes of indole levels induced by food deprivation were compared to their known function in the brain and the individual segments of the GIT. A possible serotonin-melatonin antagonism in the brain and GIT function is considered.

Developmental changes in hypothalamic melatonin levels of male rats

Hypothalamic melatonin levels of Long-Evans male rats were studied at three ages (25, 55-60 and 90 days), at four times of the day in the autumn (6:00, 12:00, 18:00 and 24:00), and at two times (12:00 and 24:00) in the spring using radiommunoassay. Melatonin levels increased markedly at noon at 55-60 days of age, compared with the levels at the same time of the day at 25 and 90 days. This increase persisted in autumn and spring. The 24-hr pattern in hypothalamic melatonin was the inverse of that in the pineal, with the levels at noon higher than those at midnight. This pattern was detectable at 25 days of age although the difference in melatonin between 12:00 and 24:00 hr was not great. The day/night difference was prominent by 55-60 days of age and disappeared by adulthood (90 days). This 24-hr pattern was similar in spring and autumn in the three ages studied. Although in the 55-60-day-old group the melatonin ratio (noon/midnight) was the same in autumn and spring, the absolute levels of melatonin in spring were significantly lower. The findings are consistent with the general concept of a modulatory role of melatonin in control of hypothalamo-hypophyseal GnRH and gonadotropin function, and the timing of the developmental maturation of this neuroendocrine axis. Demonstration of the mechanism of melatonin's action at the hypothalamic level will be facilitated by further definition of quantitative developmental changes.

Anxiolytic-like action of melatonin on acquisition but not performance of DRL

The behavioural effects of melatonin have been attributed to a general reduction in motor activity; interference with memory fixation; a decrease in emotionality; or an anxiolytic action. The present experiments compared the effects of melatonin with an anxiolytic benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), on a schedule of differential reinforcement of low rates of response (DRL) increasing 'burst' responding and premature responding. No doses of melatonin tested (0.03-8.1 mg/kg, IP) affected performance of well-learned DRL. Both low (0.03 mg/kg) and high (1.0 mg/kg) doses of melatonin impaired acquisition of DRL in a similar manner to chlordiazepoxide (5.0 mg/kg) and to much the same extent. Chlordiazepoxide had its usual effects on both acquisition and performance of DRL. These results show that melatonin shares a subset of the effects of chlordiazepoxide. The nature of the effects favours an 'anxiolytic' hypothesis of melatonin action rather than the other hypotheses so far proposed.

Presence of immunoreactive melatonin in different tissues of the pigeon (Columba livia)

The distribution of melatonin was studied at midday and midnight in pigeon plasma, pineal, hypothalamus, eyes, Harderian glands, and duodenum. Tissue samples were homogenized, extracted with chloroform, evaporated, and measured by our melatonin radioimmunoassay (RIA). All the extracts gave dilution curves parallel to that of synthetic melatonin and eluted in reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as synthetic melatonin indicating that the immunoreactivity was due to endogenous melatonin in pigeon tissues. Melatonin was found to be present in pigeon plasma, pineal, hypothalamus, eyes, Harderian glands, and duodenum. In all tissues it had a clear diurnal variation with low levels at midday and high levels at midnight. The highest amounts of melatonin were found in the eyes, duodenum, and the pineal so that extrapineal melatonin exceeded pineal melatonin. Further studies are needed to evaluate the significance of extrapineal melatonin.

Effects of P-chlorophenylalanine on pineal and endocrine function in the rat

This study attempted to determine whether brain serotonin (5-HT), which is altered by melatonin administration, is involved in mediating the effects of melatonin on basal endocrine function. Pineal melatonin levels, serum N-acetylserotonin (NAS) levels, adrenocortical activity, and other endocrine parameters were measured following 5-HT depletion by p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) together with either pineal stimulation by blinding or blinding plus pinealectomy. Blinding increased pineal melatonin levels in both saline and p-CPA treated animals. P-CPA treatment increased adrenal weights and morning plasma corticosterone levels in both blinded and blinded-pinealectomized animals. Conversely, p-CPA depressed pineal melatonin levels and serum NAS but elevated morning plasma corticosterone levels in sighted controls. P-CPA also decreased plasma prolactin and growth hormone levels in intact animals. These findings suggest that 5-HT inhibits morning corticosterone secretion and stimulates prolactin and growth hormone release. In addition, melatonin and serotonin may function independently in regulating adrenocortical function, while melatonin's effect is superceded by that of serotonin.

Pineal ablation in varying photoperiods and the incidence of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene induced mammary cancer in rats

Our earlier observation of increased incidence of 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) induced mammary carcinoma in young, virgin 'functionally' pinealectomized Holtzman rats poses the question whether or not a comparable incidence would occur in surgically pinealectomized rats reared in varying photoperiods (e.g. light/dark (LD) 24/0 or LD 10/14 schedules). Results show that functionally or surgically pinealectomized rats in LD 24/0 schedule have comparable mammary tumor incidence (95% and 83%, respectively) and latency period of tumor appearance (60 +/- 3.1 and 69.2 +/- 6.6 days, respectively). However, when surgically pinealectomized rats were kept in short photoperiods (LD 10/14), a significant difference was observed in both tumor incidence (60.9%) and latency period (91.8 +/- 11.0 days). Our data suggest that the susceptibility of the mammary gland to carcinogenic insult may be modulated by the concentration of the pineal hormone, melatonin, in the CNS.

Diurnal variations of melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in the tissues of quails (Coturnix sp.), pigeons (Columba livia), and chickens (Gallus domesticus)

The levels of melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in the pineal, serum, retina, and brain of quails (Coturnix sp.), pigeons (Columba livia), and chickens (Gallus domesticus) were studied. The birds were kept under a photoperiod of 12 hr light and 12 hr dark for a minimum of 5 days before they were decapitated at midlight or middark under a 25 W red light. Melatonin and N-acetylserotonin in the pineal, serum, retina, and brain samples were extracted and determined by radioimmunoassay. It was found that the levels of melatonin in all the tissues collected in the dark period were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than the melatonin levels of the tissues obtained in the light period. Similarly, N-acetylserotonin levels in the pineal and retinal of birds collected in the dark period were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than those collected in the light period. But the levels of N-acetylserotonin in the serum and brain samples collected in the daytime were not significantly different from those collected in the nighttime. The results suggest that in quails, pigeons, and chickens, diurnal rhythms of melatonin are present in the pineal, serum, retina, and brain, but diurnal rhythms of N-acetylserotonin may only be present in the pineal and retina.