Changes in Cortisol and in Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress Indicators after ADHD Treatment

Although ADHD is one of the most prevalent diseases during childhood, we still do not know its precise origin; oxidative/nitrosative stress and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are suggested contributors. Methylphenidate, among others, is the main drug used in ADHD patients, but its effects on relevant markers and structures remain unclear. This study, involving 59 patients diagnosed with ADHD according to DSM-5 criteria, aimed to assess changes in cortisol levels (using cortisol awakening response, CAR) and oxidative/nitrosative status with the treatment. Blood samples before and 3 months after treatment with methylphenidate were used to measure oxidative and inflammatory markers, as well as the endogenous antioxidant activity, while saliva samples tracked cortisol awakening response (CAR). The results showed a treatment-related improvement in the redox profile, with the reduction in advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) levels, and the increase in the enzymatic activities of glutathione reductase (GRd) and catalase (CAT). Moreover, the area under the curve (AUC) of CAR increased significantly, indicating increased reactivity of the HPA axis. These results support, for the first time, the involvement of the endogenous antioxidant system in the pathophysiology of ADHD.

iMS-Bmal1-/- mice show evident signs of sarcopenia that are counteracted by exercise and melatonin therapies

Sarcopenia is an age-related disease characterized by a reduction in muscle mass, strength, and function and, therefore, a deterioration in skeletal muscle health and frailty. Although the cause of sarcopenia is still unknown and, thus, there is no treatment, increasing evidence suggests that chronodisruption, particularly alterations in Bmal1 clock gene, can lead to those deficits culminating in sarcopenia. To gain insight into the cause and mechanism of sarcopenia and the protective effect of a therapeutic intervention with exercise and/or melatonin, the gastrocnemius muscles of male and female skeletal muscle-specific and inducible Bmal1 knockout mice (iMS-Bmal1-/- ) were examined by phenotypic tests and light and electron microscopy. Our results revealed a disruption of the normal activity/rest rhythm, a drop in skeletal muscle function and mass, and increased frailty in male and female iMS-Bmal1-/- animals compared to controls. A reduction in muscle fiber size and increased collagenous tissue were also detected, accompanied by reduced mitochondrial oxidative capacity and a compensatory shift towards a more oxidative fiber type. Electron microscopy further supports mitochondrial impairment in mutant mice. Melatonin and exercise ameliorated the damage caused by loss of Bmal1 in mutant mice, except for mitochondrial damage, which was worsened by the latter. Thus, iMS-Bmal1-/- mice let us to identify Bmal1 deficiency as the responsible for the appearance of sarcopenia in the gastrocnemius muscle. Moreover, the results support the exercise and melatonin as therapeutic tools to counteract sarcopenia, by a mechanism that does not require the presence of Bmal1.

From Chronodisruption to Sarcopenia: The Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin

Sarcopenia is an age-related condition that involves a progressive decline in muscle mass and function, leading to increased risk of falls, frailty, and mortality. Although the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, aging-related processes like inflammation, oxidative stress, reduced mitochondrial capacity, and cell apoptosis contribute to this decline. Disruption of the circadian system with age may initiate these pathways in skeletal muscle, preceding the onset of sarcopenia. At present, there is no pharmacological treatment for sarcopenia, only resistance exercise and proper nutrition may delay its onset. Melatonin, derived from tryptophan, emerges as an exceptional candidate for treating sarcopenia due to its chronobiotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Its impact on mitochondria and organelle, where it is synthesized and crucial in aging skeletal muscle, further highlights its potential. In this review, we discuss the influence of clock genes in muscular aging, with special reference to peripheral clock genes in the skeletal muscle, as well as their relationship with melatonin, which is proposed as a potential therapy against sarcopenia.

Targeting NR1D1 in organ injury: challenges and prospects

Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (NR1D1, also known as REV-ERBα) belongs to the nuclear receptor (NR) family, and is a heme-binding component of the circadian clock that consolidates circadian oscillators. In addition to repressing the transcription of multiple clock genes associated with circadian rhythms, NR1D1 has a wide range of downstream target genes that are intimately involved in many physiopathological processes, including autophagy, immunity, inflammation, metabolism and aging in multiple organs. This review focuses on the pivotal role of NR1D1 as a key transcription factor in the gene regulatory network, with particular emphasis on the milestones of the latest discoveries of NR1D1 ligands. NR1D1 is considered as a promising drug target for treating diverse diseases and may contribute to research on innovative biomarkers and therapeutic targets for organ injury-related diseases. Further research on NR1D1 ligands in prospective human trials may pave the way for their clinical application in many organ injury-related disorders.

PIK3CG Regulates NLRP3/GSDMD-Mediated Pyroptosis in Septic Myocardial Injury

Cardiac insufficiency is a common complication of sepsis with high mortality. Inflammatory programmed cell death (pyroptosis) executed by NLRP3/gasdermin D (GSDMD) is intrinsically correlated with septic myocardial injury. However, it remains unclear whether PIK3CG, a classical target of septic myocardial injury, can affect pyroptosis by regulating NLRP3/GSDMD signaling. In this study, a series of experimental methods were used to observe the effect of PIK3CG on NLRP3/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-injured BALB/c mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injured HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Transcriptome analysis of CLP-injured myocardium revealed a regulatory relationship between PIK3CG and NLRP3/GSDMD signaling, which was further verified in clinical myocardium samples from GEO database. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that the protein and mRNA levels of PIK3CG, GSDMD, NLRP3, IL-1β, Caspase-1, and IL-18 were significantly increased. Importantly, PIK3CG siRNA was found to improve these changes, while PIK3CG overexpression worsened them. Notably, pyroptosis induced by CLP in the myocardium was reversed by the PIK3CG inhibitor (AS-604850). In conclusion, PIK3CG activates NLRP3 inflammasomes, thus promoting pyroptosis in septic myocardial injury.

Patient-derived tumor models in cancer research: Evaluation of the oncostatic effects of melatonin

The development of new anticancer therapies tends to be very slow. Although their impact on potential candidates is confirmed in preclinical studies, ∼95 % of these new therapies are not approved when tested in clinical trials. One of the main reasons for this is the lack of accurate preclinical models. In this context, there are different patient-derived models, which have emerged as a powerful oncological tool: patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and patient-derived cells (PDCs). Although all these models are widely applied, PDXs, which are created by engraftment of patient tumor tissues into mice, is considered more reliable. In fundamental research, the PDX model is used to evaluate drug-sensitive markers and, in clinical practice, to select a personalized therapeutic strategy. Melatonin is of particular importance in the development of innovative cancer treatments due to its oncostatic impact and lack of adverse effects. However, the literature regarding the oncostatic effect of melatonin in patient-derived tumor models is scant. This review aims to describe the important role of patient-derived models in the development of anticancer treatments, focusing, in particular, on PDX models, as well as their use in cancer research. This review also summarizes the existing literature on the anti-tumoral effect of melatonin in patient-derived models in order to propose future anti-neoplastic clinical applications.

Intratumoral injection of melatonin enhances tumor regression in cell line-derived and patient-derived xenografts of head and neck cancer by increasing mitochondrial oxidative stress

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma present a high mortality rate. Melatonin has been shown to have oncostatic effects in different types of cancers. However, inconsistent results have been reported for in vivo applications. Consequently, an alternative administration route is needed to improve bioavailability and establish the optimal dosage of melatonin for cancer treatment. On the other hand, the use of patient-derived tumor models has transformed the field of drug research because they reflect the heterogeneity of patient tumor tissues. In the present study, we explore mechanisms for increasing melatonin bioavailability in tumors and investigate its potential as an adjuvant to improve the therapeutic efficacy of cisplatin in the setting of both xenotransplanted cell lines and primary human HNSCC. We analyzed the effect of two different formulations of melatonin administered subcutaneously or intratumorally in Cal-27 and SCC-9 xenografts and in patient-derived xenografts. Melatonin effects on tumor mitochondrial metabolism was also evaluated as well as melatonin actions on tumor cell migration. In contrast to the results obtained with the subcutaneous melatonin, intratumoral injection of melatonin drastically inhibited tumor progression in HNSCC-derived xenografts, as well as in patient-derived xenografts. Interestingly, intratumoral injection of melatonin potentiated CDDP effects, decreasing Cal-27 tumor growth. We demonstrated that melatonin increases ROS production and apoptosis in tumors, targeting mitochondria. Melatonin also reduces migration capacities and metastasis markers. These results illustrate the great clinical potential of intratumoral melatonin treatment and encourage a future clinical trial in cancer patients to establish a proper clinical melatonin treatment.

The Relationship between Clock Genes, Sirtuin 1, and Mitochondrial Activity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: Effects of Melatonin Treatment

The circadian clock is a regulatory system, with a periodicity of approximately 24 h, which generates rhythmic changes in many physiological processes, including mitochondrial activity. Increasing evidence links chronodisruption with aberrant functionality in clock gene expression, resulting in multiple diseases such as cancer. Melatonin, whose production and secretion oscillates according to the light-dark cycle, is the principal regulator of clock gene expression. In addition, the oncostatic effects of melatonin correlate with an increase in mitochondrial activity. However, the direct links between circadian clock gene expression, mitochondrial activity, and the antiproliferative effects of melatonin in cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effects of melatonin on HNSCC cell lines (Cal-27 and SCC9), which were treated with 500 and 1000 µM melatonin. We found that the antiproliferative effect of melatonin is not mediated by the Bmal1 clock gene. Additionally, high doses of melatonin were observed to result in resynchronization of oscillatory circadian rhythm genes (Per2 and Sirt1). Surprisingly, the resynchronizing effect of melatonin on Per2 and Sirt1 did not produce alterations in the oscillation of mitochondrial respiratory activity. These results increase our understanding of the possible antiproliferative mechanisms in melatonin in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and suggest that its antiproliferative effects are independent of clock genes but are directly related to mitochondrial activity.

The NLRP3 inflammasome: contributions to inflammation-related diseases

The NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a protein complex that regulates innate immune responses by activating caspase-1 and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Multiple studies have demonstrated the importance of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the development of immune and inflammation-related diseases, including arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. This review first explains the activation and regulatory mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Secondly, we focus on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in various inflammation-related diseases. Finally, we look forward to new methods for targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome to treat inflammation-related diseases, and provide new ideas for clinical treatment.

Insights into the Role of Plasmatic and Exosomal microRNAs in Oxidative Stress-Related Metabolic Diseases

A common denominator of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes Mellitus, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis, are elevated oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. These complex, multi-factorial diseases are caused by the detrimental interaction between the individual genetic background and multiple environmental stimuli. The cells, including the endothelial ones, acquire a preactivated phenotype and metabolic memory, exhibiting increased oxidative stress, inflammatory gene expression, endothelial vascular activation, and prothrombotic events, leading to vascular complications. There are different pathways involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, and increased knowledge suggests a role of the activation of the NF-kB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome as key mediators of metabolic inflammation. Epigenetic-wide associated studies provide new insight into the role of microRNAs in the phenomenon of metabolic memory and the development consequences of vessel damage. In this review, we will focus on the microRNAs related to the control of anti-oxidative enzymes, as well as microRNAs related to the control of mitochondrial functions and inflammation. The objective is the search for new therapeutic targets to improve the functioning of mitochondria and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, despite the acquired metabolic memory.

Chronodisruption and Loss of Melatonin Rhythm, Associated with Alterations in Daily Motor Activity and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Parkinsonian Zebrafish, Are Corrected by Melatonin Treatment

Beyond sleep/wake, clock genes regulate the daily rhythms of melatonin production, motor activity, innate immunity, and mitochondrial dynamics, among others. All these rhythms are affected in Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that chronodisruption may be an early stage of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the connection between clock genes and these rhythms in PD, and whether melatonin administration reestablished the normal clock function. Parkinsonism was induced with 600 μM MPTP (N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) in 24-120 h post fertilization (hpf) zebrafish embryos and melatonin was administered at a dose of 1 μM. Day-night melatonin rhythm disappeared in MPTP-treated embryos, which showed an advance in the activity phase in parallel with changes in the rhythm of clock genes. An alteration in the fission-to-fusion mitochondrial dynamics was also detected in parkinsonian embryos, increasing the former and leading to apoptosis. Melatonin administration to MPTP-treated embryos fully restored the circadian system, including the rhythms of clock genes, motor activity, melatonin rhythm, and mitochondrial dynamics, and decreasing apoptosis. Because clock-controlled rhythms such as sleep/wake alterations are early events in PD, the data here reported may point to chronodisruption as one initial pathophysiological event of the disease.

A phase II, single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous melatonin in surgical patients with severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit

To determine whether IV melatonin therapy improves redox status and inflammatory responses in surgical patients with severe sepsis, a unicenter, phase II double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was carried out. The study included patients with severe sepsis marked by infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), associated with organ dysfunction, hypoperfusion or hypotension requiring surgical intervention. IV melatonin at a daily dose of 60 mg, which was dissolved in 500 ml of 5% dextrose serum, was continuously administered to the patients for over 30 min starting on the day of the diagnoses during a 5-day period. A total of 14 patients received a placebo treatment and 15 melatonin doses. Redox status decreased in melatonin-treated patients during the 5 days of treatment as compared to the placebo-treated patients. Procalcitonin performed better in the melatonin group, whose neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was also significantly reduced, resulting in an improved evolution of the disease. Moreover, hospital stays decreased by 19.60% from 26.64 days for the placebo group to 21.42 days for the melatonin group. The placebo group recorded five mortalities, as compared to three for the melatonin group. IV melatonin administration improved the course of the disease in surgical patients with severe sepsis, with no side effects. Additional studies with higher doses of melatonin and a long duration of therapy need to be carried out to assess its clinical use.

Primary head and neck cancer cell cultures are susceptible to proliferation of Epstein-Barr virus infected lymphocytes

BACKGROUND

New concepts for a more effective anti-cancer therapy are urgently needed. Experimental flaws represent a major counter player of this development and lead to inaccurate and unreproducible data as well as unsuccessful translation of research approaches into clinics. In a previous study we have created epithelial cell cultures from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissue.

METHODS

We characterize primary cell populations isolated from human papillomavirus positive HNSCC tissue for their marker expression by RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining. Their sensitivity to MDM2-inhibition was measured using cell viability assays.

RESULTS

Primary HNSCC cell cultures showed the delayed formation of spheroids at higher passages. These spheroids mimicked the morphology and growth characteristics of other established HNSCC spheroid models. However, expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers could not be detected in these cells despite the presence of the HNSCC stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1. Instead, strong expression of B- and T-lymphocytes markers was observed. Flow cytometry analysis revealed a heterogeneous mixture of CD3 + /CD25 + T-lymphocytes and CD19 + B-lymphocytes at a ratio of 4:1 at passage 5 and transformed lymphocytes at late passages (≥ passage 12) with CD45 + CD19 + CD20 + , of which around 10 to 20% were CD3 + CD25 + CD56 + . Interestingly, the whole population was FOXP3-positive indicative of regulatory B-cells (B_regs). Expression of transcripts specific for the Epstein-Barr-virus (EBV) was detected to increase in these spheroid cells along late passages, and this population was vulnerable to MDM2 inhibition. HPV + HNSCC cells but not EBV + lymphocytes were detected to engraft into immunodeficient mice.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we present a primary cell culture of EBV-infected tumor-infiltrating B-lymphocytes, which could be used to study the role of these cells in tumor biology in future research projects. Moreover, by describing the detailed characteristics of these cells, we aim to caution other researchers in the HNSCC field to test for EBV-infected lymphocyte contaminations in primary cell cultures ahead of further experiments. Especially researchers who are interested in TIL-based adopted immunotherapy should exclude these cells in their primary tumor models, e.g. by MDM2-inhibitor treatment. BI-12-derived xenograft tumors represent a suitable model for in vivo targeting studies.

Deciphering clock genes as emerging targets against aging

The old people often suffer from circadian rhythm disturbances, which in turn accelerate aging. Many aging-related degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and osteoarthritis have an inextricable connection with circadian rhythm. In light of the predominant effects of clock genes on regulating circadian rhythm, we systematically present the elaborate network of roles that clock genes play in aging in this review. First, we briefly introduce the basic background regarding clock genes. Second, we systemically summarize the roles of clock genes in aging and aging-related degenerative diseases. Third, we discuss the relationship between clock genes polymorphisms and aging. In summary, this review is intended to clarify the indispensable roles of clock genes in aging and sheds light on developing clock genes as anti-aging targets.

Melatonin drives apoptosis in head and neck cancer by increasing mitochondrial ROS generated via reverse electron transport

The oncostatic effects of melatonin correlate with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, but how melatonin induces this ROS generation is unknown. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the two seemingly opposing actions of melatonin regarding its relationship with free radicals. We analyzed the effects of melatonin on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines (Cal-27 and SCC-9), which were treated with 0.5 or 1 mM melatonin. We further examined the potential effects of melatonin to induce ROS and apoptosis in Cal-27 xenograft mice. Here we report that melatonin mediates apoptosis in head and neck cancer by driving mitochondrial reverse electron transport (RET) to induce ROS production. Melatonin-induced changes in tumoral metabolism led to increased mitochondrial activity, which, in turn, induced ROS-dependent mitochondrial uncoupling. Interestingly, mitochondrial complex inhibitors, including rotenone, abolished the ROS elevation indicating that melatonin increased ROS generation via RET. Melatonin also increased membrane potential and CoQ₁₀ H₂ /CoQ₁₀ ratio to elevate mitochondrial ROS production, which are essential conditions for RET. We found that genetic manipulation of cancer cells with alternative oxidase, which transfers electrons from QH₂ to oxygen, inhibited melatonin-induced ROS generation, and apoptosis. RET restored the melatonin-induced oncostatic effect, highlighting the importance of RET as the site of ROS production. These results illustrate that RET and ROS production are crucial factors in melatonin's effects in cancer cells and establish the dual effect of melatonin in protecting normal cells and inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

The Q-junction and the inflammatory response are critical pathological and therapeutic factors in CoQ deficiency

Defects in Coenzyme Q (CoQ) metabolism have been associated with primary mitochondrial disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic conditions. The consequences of CoQ deficiency have not been fully addressed, and effective treatment remains challenging. Here, we use mice with primary CoQ deficiency (Coq9R239X), and we demonstrate that CoQ deficiency profoundly alters the Q-junction, leading to extensive changes in the mitochondrial proteome and metabolism in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in the brain. CoQ deficiency also induces reactive gliosis, which mediates a neuroinflammatory response, both of which lead to an encephalopathic phenotype. Importantly, treatment with either vanillic acid (VA) or β-resorcylic acid (β-RA), two analogs of the natural precursor for CoQ biosynthesis, partially restores CoQ metabolism, particularly in the kidneys, and induces profound normalization of the mitochondrial proteome and metabolism, ultimately leading to reductions in gliosis, neuroinflammation and spongiosis and, consequently, reversing the phenotype. Together, these results provide key mechanistic insights into defects in CoQ metabolism and identify potential disease biomarkers. Furthermore, our findings clearly indicate that the use of analogs of the CoQ biosynthetic precursor is a promising alternative therapy for primary CoQ deficiency and has potential for use in the treatment of more common neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases that are associated with secondary CoQ deficiency.

Role of c-miR-21, c-miR-126, Redox Status, and Inflammatory Conditions as Potential Predictors of Vascular Damage in T2DM Patients

The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) vascular complications (VCs) is associated with oxidative stress and chronic inflammation and can result in endothelial dysfunctions. Circulating microRNAs play an important role in epigenetic regulation of the etiology of T2DM. We studied 30 healthy volunteers, 26 T2DM patients with no complications, and 26 T2DM patients with VCs, to look for new biomarkers indicating a risk of developing VCs in T2DM patients. Peripheral blood samples were used to determine redox state, by measuring the endogenous antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathione reductase, GRd; glutathione peroxidase, GPx; and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6DP) and markers of oxidative damage (advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP; lipid peroxidation, LPO). Additionally, inflammatory marker levels (IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α), c-miR-21, and c-miR-126 expression were analyzed. T2DM patients showed the highest oxidative damage with increased GSSG/GSH ratios, LPO, and AOPP levels. In both diabetic groups, we found that diminished SOD activity was accompanied by increased CAT and decreased GRd and G6PD activities. Diabetic patients presented with increased relative expression of c-miR-21 and decreased relative expression of c-miR-126. Overall, c-miR-21, SOD, CAT, and IL-6 had high predictive values for diabetes diagnoses. Finally, our data demonstrated that IL-6 exhibited predictive value for VC development in the studied population. Moreover, c-miR-21 and c-miR-126, along with GPx and AOPP levels, should be considered possible markers for VC development in future studies.

Identification of PIK3CG as a hub in septic myocardial injury using network pharmacology and weighted gene co-expression network analysis

Sepsis causes multiple organ injuries, among which the heart is one most severely damaged organ. Melatonin (MEL) alleviates septic myocardial injury, although a systematic and comprehensive approach is still lacking to understand the precise protective machinery of MEL. This study aimed to examine the underlying mechanisms of MEL on improvement of septic myocardial injury at a systematic level. This study integrated three analytic modalities including database investigations, RNA-seq analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WCGNA), in order to acquire a set of genes associated with the pathogenesis of sepsis. The Drugbank database was employed to predict genes that may serve as pharmacological targets for MEL-elicited benefits, if any. A pharmacological protein-protein interaction network was subsequently constructed, and 66 hub genes were captured which were enriched in a variety of immune response pathways. Notably, PIK3CG, one of the hub genes, displayed high topological characteristic values, strongly suggesting its promise as a novel target for MEL-evoked treatment of septic myocardial injury. Importantly, molecular docking simulation experiments as well as in vitro and in vivo studies supported an essential role for PIK3CG in MEL-elicited effect on septic myocardial injury. This study systematically clarified the mechanisms of MEL intervention in septic myocardial injury involved multiple targets and multiple pathways. Moreover, PIK3CG-governed signaling cascade plays an important role in the etiology of sepsis and septic myocardial injury. Findings from our study provide valuable information on novel intervention targets for the management of septic myocardial injury. More importantly, this study has indicated the utility of combining a series of techniques for disease target discovery and exploration of possible drug targets, which should shed some light on elucidation of experimental and clinical drug action mechanisms systematically.

Age and Chronodisruption in Mouse Heart: Effect of the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Melatonin Therapy

Age and age-dependent inflammation are two main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Aging can also affect clock gene-related impairments such as chronodisruption and has been linked to a decline in melatonin synthesis and aggravation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 innate immune response known as inflammaging. The molecular drivers of these mechanisms remain unknown. This study investigated the impact of aging and NLRP3 expression on the cardiac circadian system, and the actions of melatonin as a potential therapy to restore daily rhythms by mitigating inflammaging. We analyzed the circadian expression and rhythmicity of clock genes in heart tissue of wild-type and NLRP3-knockout mice at 3, 12, and 24 months of age, with and without melatonin treatment. Our results support that aging, NLRP3 inflammasome, and melatonin affected the cardiac clock genes expression, except for Rev-erbα, which was not influenced by genotype. Aging caused small phase changes in Clock, loss of rhythmicity in Per2 and Rorα, and mesor dampening of Clock, Bmal1, and Per2. NLRP3 inflammasome influenced the acrophase of Clock, Per2, and Rorα. Melatonin restored the acrophase and the rhythm of clock genes affected by age or NLRP3 activation. The administration of melatonin re-established murine cardiac homeostasis by reversing age-associated chronodisruption. Altogether, these results highlight new findings about the effects aging and NLRP3 inflammasome have on clock genes in cardiac tissue, pointing to continuous melatonin as a promising therapy to placate inflammaging and restore circadian rhythm in heart muscle. Additionally, light microscopy analysis showed age-related morphological impairments in cardiomyocytes, which were less severe in mice lacking NLRP3. Melatonin supplementation preserved the structure of cardiac muscle fibers in all experimental groups.

Effect of 5-Azacitidine Treatment on Redox Status and Inflammatory Condition in MDS Patients

This study focused on the impact of the treatment with the hypomethylating agent 5-azacitidine on the redox status and inflammation in 24 MDS patients. Clinical and genetic features of MDS patients were recorded, and peripheral blood samples were used to determine the activity of the endogenous antioxidant defense system (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; glutathion peroxidase, GPx; and reductase, GRd, activities), markers of oxidative damage (lipid peroxidation, LPO, and advanced oxidation protein products, AOPP). Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines and plasma nitrite plus nitrate levels as markers of inflammation, as well as CoQ10 plasma levels, were also measured. Globally, MDS patients showed less redox status in terms of a reduction in the GSSG/GSH ratio and in the LPO levels, as well as increased CAT activity compared with healthy subjects, with no changes in SOD, GPx, and GRd activities, or AOPP levels. When analyzing the evolution from early to advanced stages of the disease, we found that the GPx activity, GSSG/GSH ratio, LPO, and AOPP increased, with a reduction in CAT. GPx changes were related to the presence of risk factors such as high-risk IPSS-R or mutational score. Moreover, there was an increase in IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α plasma levels, with a further increase of IL-2 and IL-10 from early to advanced stages of the disease. However, we did not observe any association between inflammation and oxidative stress. Finally, 5-azacitidine treatment generated oxidative stress in MDS patients, without affecting inflammation levels, suggesting that oxidative status and inflammation are two independent processes.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Its Neuroinvasive Capacity: Is It Time for Melatonin?

The world faces an exceptional new public health concern caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), subsequently termed the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the clinical symptoms mostly have been characterized, the scientific community still doesn´t know how SARS-CoV-2 successfully reaches and spreads throughout the central nervous system (CNS) inducing brain damage. The recent detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in frontal lobe sections from postmortem examination has confirmed the presence of the virus in neural tissue. This finding reveals a new direction in the search for a neurotherapeutic strategy in the COVID-19 patients with underlying diseases. Here, we discuss the COVID-19 outbreak in a neuroinvasiveness context and suggest the therapeutic use of high doses of melatonin, which may favorably modulate the immune response and neuroinflammation caused by SARS-CoV-2. However, clinical trials elucidating the efficacy of melatonin in the prevention and clinical management in the COVID-19 patients should be actively encouraged.

Melatonin-doped polymeric nanoparticles induce high crystalline apatite formation in root dentin

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of novel polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) doped with melatonin (ML) on nano-hardness, crystallinity and ultrastructure of the formed hydroxyapatite after endodontic treatment.

METHODS

Undoped-NPs and ML-doped NPs (ML-NPs) were tested at radicular dentin, after 24 h and 6 m. A control group without NPs was included. Radicular cervical and apical dentin surfaces were studied by nano-hardness measurements, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Mean and standard deviation were analyzed by ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls multiple comparisons (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Cervical dentin treated with undoped NPs maintained its nano-hardness values after 6 m of storage being [24 h: 0.29 (0.01); 6 m: 0.30 (0.02) GPa], but it decreased at apical dentin [24 h: 0.36 (0.01); 6 m: 0.28 (0.02) GPa]. When ML-NPs were used, nano-hardness was similar over time [24h: 0.31 (0.02); 6 m: 0.28 (0.03) GPa], at apical dentin. Root dentin treated with ML-NPs produced, in general, high crystallinity of new minerals and thicker crystals than those produced in the rest of the groups. After 6 m, crystals became organized in randomly oriented polyhedral, square polygonal block-like apatite or drop-like apatite polycrystalline lattices when ML-NPs were used. Undoped NPs generated poor crystallinity, with preferred orientation of small crystallite and increased microstrain.

SIGNIFICANCE

New polycrystalline formations encountered in dentin treated with ML-NPs may produce structural dentin stability and high mechanical performance at the root. The decrease of mechanical properties over time in dentin treated without NPs indicates scarce remineralization potential, dentin demineralization and further potential degradation. The amorphous stage may provide high hydroxyapatite solubility and remineralizing activity.

DDRE-33. MELATONIN AS A MASTER METABOLIC SWITCH FOR GLIOBLASTOMA

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common form of malignant primary brain cancer in adults with a median survival of only 15 months. Therefore, new therapies to suppress malignant brain cancer are needed. Brain Tumor Initiating Cells (BTICs) are a GBM subpopulation of cells with a highly glycolytic profile that are thought to be responsible of the resistance of GBM to treatments. Metabolic reprogramming allows tumor cells to survive in unsupportive microenvironments. Manipulating tumor metabolism to counteract GBM resistance arises as a powerful approach with minimum effects in normal counterparts. At pharmacological concentrations, melatonin displays oncostatic properties. This is thought to be due to an increase in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation through the effects of melatonin in mitochondria, key organelle in metabolic homeostasis. We hypothesize that melatonin could alter BTIC metabolism, by inducing an anti-Warburg effect and as consequence, melatonin will decrease the viability of GBM cells and tumor growth. We found that treatment of GBM cell lines with 3mM melatonin significantly altered tumor cell metabolism. We observed that melatonin downregulated the lactate symporter MCT4 (p<0.002), inducing a significant intracellular accumulation of lactate (p<0.002) while decreasing it in the extracellular media (p<0.001). This was followed by a decrease in the internal pH (p<0.002). These effects were compensated by an increase in the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) followed by decay that leaded to an increase in ROS production (p<0.001). All these changes result in a depletion of cellular ATP (p<0.001) and eventually drove to a decrease in the proliferation (p<0.001) and cell death (p<0.001). When applied in vivo we observed a significant reduction in the tumor growth (p<0.001), volume (p<0.002) and weight (p<0.002), as well as a drop in the proliferation marker ki67 (p<0.001) and a fibrosis increase in treated tumors. These results position melatonin as a strong therapeutic candidate for GBM therapy.

Randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial of high-dose melatonin mucoadhesive oral gel for the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiation therapy concurrent with systemic treatment

PURPOSE

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of melatonin oral gel mouthwashes in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis (OM) in patients treated with concurrent radiation and systemic treatment for head and neck cancer.

METHODS

Randomized, phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (1:1 ratio) of 3% melatonin oral gel mouthwashes vs. placebo, during IMRT (total dose ≥ 66 Gy) plus concurrent Q3W cisplatin or cetuximab. Primary endpoint: grade 3-4 OM or Severe Oral Mucositis (SOM) incidence by RTOG, NCI, and a composite RTOG-NCI scales. Secondary endpoints: SOM duration and grade 2-4 OM or Ulcerative Oral Mucositis (UOM) incidence and duration.

RESULTS

Eighty-four patients were included in the study. Concurrent systemic treatments were cisplatin (n = 54; 64%) or cetuximab (n = 30; 36%). Compared with the placebo arm, RTOG-defined SOM incidence was numerically lower in the 3% melatonin oral gel arm (53 vs. 64%, P = 0.36). In patients treated with cisplatin, assessed by the RTOG-NCI composite scale, both SOM incidence (44 vs. 78%; P = 0.02) and median SOM duration (0 vs. 22 days; P = 0.022) were significantly reduced in the melatonin arm. Median UOM duration assessed by the RTOG-NCI scale was also significantly shorter in the melatonin arm (49 vs. 73 days; P = 0.014). Rate of adverse events and overall response rate were similar between the two arms.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with melatonin oral gel showed a consistent trend to lower incidence and shorter SOM duration and shorter duration of UOM. These results warrant further investigation in phase III clinical trial.

Melatonin alleviates sepsis-induced heart injury through activating the Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

Melatonin improved the outcome of septic cardiomyopathy by inhibiting NLRP3 priming induced by reactive oxygen species. To get insights into these events, we studied the melatonin/Nrf2 antioxidant pathways during sepsis in the heart of NLRP3-deficient mice. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture and melatonin was given at a dose of 30 mg/kg. Nuclear turnover of Nrf2 and p-Ser40 Nrf2 and expression of ho-1 were enhanced in nlrp3+/+ and nlrp3-/- mice during sepsis. Sepsis caused higher mitochondria impairment, apoptotic and autophagic events in nlrp3+/+ mice than in nlrp3-/- animals. These findings were accompanied by greater levels of Parkin and PINK-1, and lower Mfn2/Drp-1 ratio in nlrp3+/+ than in nlrp3-/- mice during sepsis, supporting less mitophagy in the latter. Ultrastructural analysis of myocardial tissue further confirmed these observations. The activation of NLRP3 inflammasome accounted for most of the deleterious effects of sepsis, whereas the Nrf2-dependent antioxidative response activation in response to sepsis was unable to neutralize these events. In turn, melatonin further enhanced the Nrf2 response in both mice strains and reduced the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in nlrp3+/+ mice, restoring myocardial homeostasis. The data support that the anti-inflammatory efficacy of melatonin against sepsis depends, at least in part, on Nrf2 activation.

Melatonin/Nrf2/NLRP3 Connection in Mouse Heart Mitochondria during Aging

Aging is a major risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Age-related disorders include oxidative stress, mitochondria dysfunction, and exacerbation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 innate immune response pathways. Some of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes, however, remain unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that NLRP3 inflammasome plays a role in cardiac aging and melatonin is able to counteract its effects. With the aim of investigating the impact of NLRP3 inflammasome and the actions and target of melatonin in aged myocardium, we analyzed the expression of proteins implied in mitochondria dynamics, autophagy, apoptosis, Nrf2-dependent antioxidant response and mitochondria ultrastructure in heart of wild-type and NLRP3-knockout mice of 3, 12, and 24 months-old, with and without melatonin treatment. Our results showed that the absence of NLRP3 prevented age-related mitochondrial dynamic alterations in cardiac muscle with minimal effects in cardiac autophagy during aging. The deficiency of the inflammasome affected Bax/Bcl2 ratio, but not p53 or caspase 9. The Nrf2-antioxidant pathway was also unaffected by the absence of NLRP3. Furthermore, NLRP3-deficiency prevented the drop in autophagy and mice showed less mitochondrial damage than wild-type animals. Interestingly, melatonin treatment recovered mitochondrial dynamics altered by aging and had few effects on cardiac autophagy. Melatonin supplementation also had an anti-apoptotic action in addition to restoring Nrf2-antioxidant capacity and improving mitochondria ultrastructure altered by aging.

Coenzyme Q10 modulates sulfide metabolism and links the mitochondrial respiratory chain to pathways associated to one carbon metabolism

Abnormalities of one carbon, glutathione and sulfide metabolisms have recently emerged as novel pathomechanisms in diseases with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not clear. Also, we recently showed that sulfide oxidation is impaired in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency. This finding leads us to hypothesize that the therapeutic effects of CoQ10, frequently administered to patients with primary or secondary mitochondrial dysfunction, might be due to its function as cofactor for sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR), the first enzyme in the sulfide oxidation pathway. Here, using biased and unbiased approaches, we show that supraphysiological levels of CoQ10 induces an increase in the expression of SQOR in skin fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with mutations in Complex I subunits genes or CoQ biosynthetic genes. This increase of SQOR induces the downregulation of the cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase, two enzymes of the transsulfuration pathway, the subsequent downregulation of serine biosynthesis and the adaptation of other sulfide linked pathways, such as folate cycle, nucleotides metabolism and glutathione system. These metabolic changes are independent of the presence of sulfur aminoacids, are confirmed in mouse models, and are recapitulated by overexpression of SQOR, further proving that the metabolic effects of CoQ10 supplementation are mediated by the overexpression of SQOR. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how sulfide metabolism is integrated in one carbon metabolism and may explain some of the benefits of CoQ10 supplementation observed in mitochondrial diseases.

Clinical trial to test the efficacy of melatonin in COVID-19

The pharmacological properties of melatonin are well known. However, there is noticeable the lack of clinical trials that confirm the efficacy, security, absence of side effects in the short and long term, and the effective doses of melatonin. This point is especially important in diseases with high morbidity and mortality including COVID-19. There is not treatment for COVID-19, and several anti-inflammatory and antiviral molecules are being tested, and different vaccines are in preparation. Although the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is apparently improving, it is expected new resurges next fall. Thus, looking for an effective treatment of COVID-19 is mandatory. Melatonin has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and mitochondrial protective effects, and its efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple experimental models of disease and in a clinical trial in sepsis. Because COVID-19 courses with a severe septic response, multiple reviews proposing melatonin as a treatment for COVID-19 have been published. Nevertheless, there is a lack of experimental and clinical data on the use of melatonin on SARS-CoV-2 infection. Accordingly, we designed a clinical trial with an injectable formulation of melatonin for intravenous perfusion in ICU patients suffering from COVID-19 that has been just approved by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS). The trial will allow by the first time understand the doses and efficacy of melatonin against COVID-19.

A phase II, single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous melatonin in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (MelCOVID study): a structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES

• Primary objective: to evaluate the effect of intravenous melatonin (IVM) on mortality in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19. • Secondary objectives: ◦ To evaluate the effect of IVM on ICU length of stay. ◦ To evaluate the effect of IVM on the length of mechanical ventilation (MV). ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with an increase in the number of ventilator-free days. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with a reduced number of failing organs as determined by the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scale. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with a reduction of the frequency and severity of COVID-19-associated thromboembolic phenomena. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with a decreased systemic inflammatory response assessed by plasma levels of ferritin, D-dimer, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and interleukin-6. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with an improvement in hematologic parameters. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with an improvement in biochemical parameters. ◦ To evaluate if the use of IVM is associated with an improvement in blood gas analysis parameters. ◦ To evaluate adverse events during the 28 day study period.

TRIAL DESIGN

Phase II, single center, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial with a two-arm parallel group design and 2:1 allocation ratio.

PARTICIPANTS

Only critically ill adult patients that fulfill all of the inclusion criteria and none of the exclusion criteria will be included. The study will be conducted in a mixed ICU of a publicly funded tertiary referral center in Madrid, Spain with a 30-bed capacity and 1100 admissions per year. • Inclusion criteria: ◦ Patient, family member or legal guardian has provided written Informed Consent. ◦ Age ε 18 years. ◦ Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with compatible symptoms AND a positive RT-PCR. ◦ Admission to the ICU with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. ◦ ICU length of stay of less than 7 days prior to randomization with or without MV and without signs of improvement in respiratory failure (MURRAY score at randomization greater or equal to the MURRAY score at ICU admission). • Exclusion criteria: ◦ Participant in a different COVID-19 study in which the study drug is under clinical development and hasn't been previously authorized for commercialization. ◦ Liver enzymes > 5 times the upper normal range. ◦ Chronic kidney disease with GFR < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (stage 4 or greater) or need for hemodialysis. ◦ Pregnancy. A pregnancy test will be performed on every woman younger than 55 years of age prior to inclusion. ◦ Terminal surgical or medical illness. ◦ Autoimmune disease. ◦ Any patient condition that can prevent the study procedures to be carried out at the treating physician's judgement.

INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR

All patients will receive standard-of-care treatment according to the current institutional protocols. In addition, patients will be randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive: • Experimental group (12 patients): 7 days of 5 mg per Kg of actual body weight per day of intravenous melatonin every 6 hours. Maximum daily dose 500 mg per day. • Control group (6 patients): 7 days of 5 mg per Kg of actual body weight per day of intravenous identically-looking placebo every 6 hours. After 3 days of treatment, 3 intensive care physicians will evaluate the participant and decide whether or not to complete the treatment based on their clinical assessment: • If objective or subjective signs of improvement or no worsening of the general clinical condition, respiratory failure, inflammatory state or multi-organ failure are observed, the participant will continue the treatment until completion. • If an adverse effect or clinical impairment is observed that is objectively or subjectively attributable to the study drug the treatment will be stopped.

MAIN OUTCOME

Mortality in each study group represented in frequency and time-to-event at day 28 after randomization RANDOMIZATION: The randomization sequence was created using SAS version 9.4 statistical software (programmed and validated macros) with a 2:1 allocation. No randomization seed was pre-specified. The randomization seed was generated using the time on the computer where the program was executed.

BLINDING (MASKING)

Participants, caregivers and study groups will be blinded to arm allocation.

NUMBERS TO BE RANDOMIZED (SAMPLE SIZE)

A total of 18 patients will be randomized in this trial: 12 to the experimental arm and 6 to the control arm.

TRIAL STATUS

Protocol version 2.0, June 5th 2020. Trial status: recruitment not started. The first patient is expected to be recruited in October 2020. The last patient is anticipated to be recruited in August 2021.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

EU Clinical Trials Register. Date of trial registration: 10 July 2020. URL: https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2020-001808-42/ES FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest of expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol.

Lack of retinoid acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha accelerates and melatonin supplementation prevents testicular aging

The role of retinoid acid receptor-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) on male reproductive functions during aging is unclear. Here, we analyze the morphological changes in the testis of both young and aged RORα-deficient mice, with and without melatonin supplementation. Young mutants showed vacuolation, degeneration and pyknosis of spermatogenic epithelium and Sertoli cells. Aged mutants showed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules and absence of mitotic spermatogenic cells. Absence of sperms in many tubules, loss of acrosomal cap, vacuolation and hypertrophy of Sertoli cells were detected in aged mice, with a significant reduction in the number of seminiferous tubules and a significant increase in the number of Leydig cells and telocytes. Repair in seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues with enhancement of spermatogenesis was observed in melatonin-treated aged mice. Young mutants overexpressed VEGF that was weaker in aged animals and observed only in the spermatocytes, while melatonin increased VEGF expression in spermatocytes and spermatids. Caspase 3 increased in both young and aged mutant mice in all seminiferous tubules and interstitium; caspase 3 immunostaining in seminiferous tubules, however, showed a normal pattern of apoptosis with melatonin supplementation. The present study reports that age-dependent testicular changes in RORα mutant mice were recovered by melatonin treatment.

Lack of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Reduces Age-Dependent Sarcopenia and Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Favoring the Prophylactic Effect of Melatonin

To investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in muscular aging, we evaluated here the morphological and functional markers of sarcopenia in the NLRP3-knockout mice, as well as the beneficial effect of melatonin supplementation. The gastrocnemius muscles of young (3 months), early-aged (12 months), and old-aged (24 months) NLRP3-knockout female mice were examined. Moreover, locomotor activity and apoptosis were assessed. The results revealed early markers of sarcopenia at the age of 12 months, including reduction of lactate, ratio of muscle weight to body weight, muscle fibers number, and mitochondrial number. Increased interstitial tissues, apoptosis, and muscle fibers area, as well as mitochondrial damage were detected, with little muscular activity effects. In the old-aged, these alterations progressed with a reduction in locomotor activity, mitochondrial cristae destruction, nuclear fragmentation, tubular aggregates (TAs) formation, and increased frailty index. Oral melatonin supplementation preserved the normal muscular structure, muscle fibers number, and muscular activity in old age. Melatonin enhanced lactate production, recovered mitochondria, inhibited TAs formation, reduced apoptosis, and normalized frailty index. The fewer sarcopenic changes as well as the highly detectable prophylactic effects of melatonin treatment reported here in the muscle of NLRP3-knockout mice comparing with that previously detected in wild-type mice, confirming NLRP3 inflammasome implication in muscular aging and sarcopenia onset and progression.

Protective Effects of Melatonin on the Skin: Future Perspectives

When exposed to hostile environments such as radiation, physical injuries, chemicals, pollution, and microorganisms, the skin requires protective chemical molecules and pathways. Melatonin, a highly conserved ancient molecule, plays a crucial role in the maintenance of skin. As human skin has functional melatonin receptors and also acts as a complete system that is capable of producing and regulating melatonin synthesis, melatonin is a promising candidate for its maintenance and protection. Below, we review the studies of new metabolic pathways involved in the protective functions of melatonin in dermal cells. We also discuss the advantages of the topical use of melatonin for therapeutic purposes and skin protection. In our view, endogenous intracutaneous melatonin production, together with topically-applied exogenous melatonin and its metabolites, represent two of the most potent defense systems against external damage to the skin.

BSCI-27. MELATONIN REDUCES MALIGNANCY OF BREAST CANCER BRAIN METASTATIC CELLS

Around fifteen to thirty percent of stage IV breast cancer metastasizes to the brain, severely decreasing the quality of life of these patients by causing neurological decline and eventually death. In metastatic cancers there is a small subset of cells in the primary tumor bulk called Metastatic Tumor Initiating Cells (MTICs) which are able to escape and produce a niche establishment at distal sites where they can quickly become resistant to surgery and radiation. Melatonin has shown an inhibitory role in the viability and invasiveness of breast cancer and in modulating the expression of proteins related to Breast Cancer Stem Cells (BCSCs). These findings suggest its potential anti-metastatic role in different breast cancer cell lines. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin treatment in vitro for breast cancer brain metastasis. The cell line MDA-BT was originally obtained from MDA-MB-231, passed through the rat’s heart and then isolated once engrafted as a tumor in the brain. After a dose response assay, cells were treated with melatonin at doses of 1500 and 3000 µM for 48hrs. Clonogenic assay, MTT, as well as a stem cell signature through RT-qPCR, including CD44, CD24 and ALDH1 markers, were performed to evaluate the malignancy of the MTICs. The results showed that melatonin at high doses impacts morphology, declines viability, reduces colony formation ability, and decreases stemness in MDA-BT cells. Therefore, our findings highlight melatonin as a relevant therapeutic candidate to target breast cancer brain metastases.

Involvement of plasma miRNAs, muscle miRNAs and mitochondrial miRNAs in the pathophysiology of frailty

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that leads not only to the loss of physical functions, but also to a generalized decline of the organism and a high risk of disability and dependency. Frailty's detection and management represent important goals for current gerontology. The advance in its rapid diagnosis could play a relevant role in taking measures to reduce the negative consequences it exerts on the body and to take preventive measures. microRNAs are the one of multiple epigenetic biomarkers that reflect functional changes in aged subject. In this review we analyze microRNAs as molecules involved in the control of the pathways leading to the development of frailty. miRNAs can be present in different body fluids, including plasma/serum and saliva, can be associated with organelles like the mitochondria, and can be expressed in tissues. Based on the multifactorial physiopathology of frailty, we analyzed here the microRNAs linked to "inflammaging" (inflamma-miRs), to musculoskeletal health (myomiRs), and microRNAs that can directly or indirectly affect the mitochondria (mitomiRs). Subsequently, we analyze those microRNAs that can be modified by physical exercise. In this review we will analyze the latest experimental studies carried out in animals, cell cultures, and human samples, with the aim to identify gaps in the research and in order to try to dazzle the information about the pathways regulated by each miRNA. Multiple studies revised here suggest that several miRs can be considered as possible markers of frailty, including miR-1, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-146a, miR-185, and miR-206, miR-223, among others. Normalization of miRNAs data and standardization of the protocols used for their measurement to avoid confounding variables influencing the results, are important to use miRNAs as disease biomarkers.

Rapamycin administration is not a valid therapeutic strategy for every case of mitochondrial disease

Background

The vast majority of mitochondrial disorders have limited the clinical management to palliative care. Rapamycin has emerged as a potential therapeutic drug for mitochondrial diseases since it has shown therapeutic benefits in a few mouse models of mitochondrial disorders. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanism is unclear, the minimal effective dose needs to be defined and whether this therapy can be generally used is unknown.

Methods

We have evaluated whether low and high doses of rapamycin administration may result in therapeutic effects in a mouse model (Coq9^R239X) of mitochondrial encephalopathy due to CoQ deficiency. The evaluation involved phenotypic, molecular, image (histopathology and MRI), metabolomics, transcriptomics and bioenergetics analyses.

Findings

Low dose of rapamycin induces metabolic changes in liver and transcriptomics modifications in midbrain. The high dose of rapamycin induces further changes in the transcriptomics profile in midbrain due to the general inhibition of mTORC1. However, neither low nor high dose of rapamycin were able to improve the mitochondrial bioenergetics, the brain injuries and the phenotypic characteristics of Coq9^R239X mice, resulting in the lack of efficacy for increasing the survival.

Interpretation

These results may be due to the lack of microgliosis-derived neuroinflammation, the limitation to induce autophagy, or the need of a functional CoQ-junction. Therefore, the translation of rapamycin therapy into the clinic for patients with mitochondrial disorders requires, at least, the consideration of the particularities of each mitochondrial disease.

Fund

Supported by the grants from “Fundación Isabel Gemio - Federación Española de Enfermedades Neuromusculares – Federación FEDER” (TSR-1), the NIH (P01HD080642) and the ERC (Stg-337327).

β-RA reduces DMQ/CoQ ratio and rescues the encephalopathic phenotype in Coq9R239X mice

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency has been associated with primary defects in the CoQ biosynthetic pathway or to secondary events. In some cases, the exogenous CoQ supplementation has limited efficacy. In the Coq9R239X mouse model with fatal mitochondrial encephalopathy due to CoQ deficiency, we have tested the therapeutic potential of β-resorcylic acid (β-RA), a structural analog of the CoQ precursor 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and the anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. β-RA noticeably rescued the phenotypic, morphological, and histopathological signs of the encephalopathy, leading to a significant increase in the survival. Those effects were due to the decrease of the levels of demethoxyubiquinone-9 (DMQ9) and the increase of mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral tissues. However, neither CoQ biosynthesis nor mitochondrial function changed in the brain after the therapy, suggesting that some endocrine interactions may induce the reduction of the astrogliosis, spongiosis, and the secondary down-regulation of astrocytes-related neuroinflammatory genes. Because the therapeutic outcomes of β-RA administration were superior to those after CoQ10 supplementation, its use in the clinic should be considered in CoQ deficiencies.

Combination of melatonin and rapamycin for head and neck cancer therapy: Suppression of AKT/mTOR pathway activation, and activation of mitophagy and apoptosis via mitochondrial function regulation

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) clearly involves activation of the Akt mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway. However, the effectiveness of treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin is often limited by chemoresistance. Melatonin suppresses neoplastic growth via different mechanisms in a variety of tumours. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of melatonin on rapamycin-induced HNSCC cell death and to identify potential cross-talk pathways. We analysed the dose-dependent effects of melatonin in rapamycin-treated HNSCC cell lines (Cal-27 and SCC-9). These cells were treated with 0.1, 0.5 or 1 mmol/L melatonin combined with 20 nM rapamycin. We further examined the potential synergistic effects of melatonin with rapamycin in Cal-27 xenograft mice. Relationships between inhibition of the mTOR pathway, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis and mitophagy reportedly increased the cytotoxic effects of rapamycin in HNSCC. Our results demonstrated that combined treatment with rapamycin and melatonin blocked the negative feedback loop from the specific downstream effector of mTOR activation S6K1 to Akt signalling, which decreased cell viability, proliferation and clonogenic capacity. Interestingly, combined treatment with rapamycin and melatonin-induced changes in mitochondrial function, which were associated with increased ROS production, increasing apoptosis and mitophagy. This led to increase cell death and cellular differentiation. Our data further indicated that melatonin administration reduced rapamycin-associated toxicity to healthy cells. Overall, our findings suggested that melatonin could be used as an adjuvant agent with rapamycin, improving effectiveness while minimizing its side effects.

In Vivo Determination of Mitochondrial Respiration in 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine-Treated Zebrafish Reveals the Efficacy of Melatonin in Restoring Mitochondrial Normalcy

Although mitochondria dysfunction is related to multiple diseases, no in vivo studies are available on mitochondrial respiration in animal parkinsonian models. Our aim is to analyze in vivo mitochondrial respiration, which reflects changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics more precisely than in vitro mitochondrial preparations. These experiments can be carried out in zebrafish embryos, which were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) from 24 to 72 hours postfertilization (hpf). A reduction in electron transfer system capacity, ATP turnover, and increased proton leak were observed at 72 hpf in MPTP-treated embryos. These changes were followed by a significant oxidative stress due to inhibition in antioxidative defense and autophagy impairment. After removing MPTP from the treatment at 72 hpf, these bioenergetic deficiencies persisted up to 120 hpf. The administration of melatonin to zebrafish embryos at 72 hpf, when mitochondrial dysfunction is already present, restored the respiratory capacity and ATP production, reduced oxidative stress, and normalized autophagy after 48 h. Melatonin also counteracted mortality and embryonic malformations due to MPTP. Our results confirm for the first time the efficacy of melatonin in restoring parkinsonian phenotypes in animals.

Effect of Melatonin Supplementation on Antioxidant Status and DNA Damage in High Intensity Trained Athletes

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin supplementation on antioxidant capacity and DNA damage in high intensity interval training (HIIT) athletes. A 2-week randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with two groups was conducted. Placebo (PG) and melatonin (MG) (20 mg/d) athletes were monitored over a two-week period of HIIT and strength training. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were analysed in blood samples. DNA damage was measured in isolated lymphocytes by comet assay prior to and immediately after exercise. The supplementation increased plasma melatonin levels in the melatonin-treated group (p<0.05) after two weeks of intervention. Analysis of antioxidant status indicated higher (p<0.05) TAC and GPx in MG than PG post-intervention. No differences were found in SOD enzyme activity. DNA damage was diminished in MG (p<0.05) compared to PG in post-training conditions. Antioxidant status was associated with DNA damage (r=-0.679; p=0.047) in the melatonin-treated athletes. The present study suggest that melatonin supplementation improves antioxidant status and may prove to have beneficial effects preventing DNA damage induced by high intensity training.

CoQ deficiency causes disruption of mitochondrial sulfide oxidation, a new pathomechanism associated with this syndrome

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is a key component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, but it also has several other functions in the cellular metabolism. One of them is to function as an electron carrier in the reaction catalyzed by sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQR), which catalyzes the first reaction in the hydrogen sulfide oxidation pathway. Therefore, SQR may be affected by CoQ deficiency. Using human skin fibroblasts and two mouse models with primary CoQ deficiency, we demonstrate that severe CoQ deficiency causes a reduction in SQR levels and activity, which leads to an alteration of mitochondrial sulfide metabolism. In cerebrum of Coq9^R239X mice, the deficit in SQR induces an increase in thiosulfate sulfurtransferase and sulfite oxidase, as well as modifications in the levels of thiols. As a result, biosynthetic pathways of glutamate, serotonin, and catecholamines were altered in the cerebrum, and the blood pressure was reduced. Therefore, this study reveals the reduction in SQR activity as one of the pathomechanisms associated with CoQ deficiency syndrome.

Melatonin enhances neural stem cell differentiation and engraftment by increasing mitochondrial function

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are regarded as a promising therapeutic approach to protecting and restoring damaged neurons in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (PD and AD, respectively). However, new research suggests that NSC differentiation is required to make this strategy effective. Several studies have demonstrated that melatonin increases mature neuronal markers, which reflects NSC differentiation into neurons. Nevertheless, the possible involvement of mitochondria in the effects of melatonin during NSC differentiation has not yet been fully established. We therefore tested the impact of melatonin on NSC proliferation and differentiation in an attempt to determine whether these actions depend on modulating mitochondrial activity. We measured proliferation and differentiation markers, mitochondrial structural and functional parameters as well as oxidative stress indicators and also evaluated cell transplant engraftment. This enabled us to show that melatonin (25 μM) induces NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes and neurons. These effects depend on increased mitochondrial mass/DNA/complexes, mitochondrial respiration, and membrane potential as well as ATP synthesis in NSCs. It is also interesting to note that melatonin prevented oxidative stress caused by high levels of mitochondrial activity. Finally, we found that melatonin enriches NSC engraftment in the ND mouse model following transplantation. We concluded that a combined therapy involving transplantation of NSCs pretreated with pharmacological doses of melatonin could efficiently restore neuronal cell populations in PD and AD mouse models depending on mitochondrial activity promotion.

Mitochondrial impairment and melatonin protection in parkinsonian mice do not depend of inducible or neuronal nitric oxide synthases

MPTP-mouse model constitutes a well-known model of neuroinflammation and mitochondrial failure occurring in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although it has been extensively reported that nitric oxide (NO^●) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of PD, the relative roles of nitric oxide synthase isoforms iNOS and nNOS in the nigrostriatal pathway remains, however, unclear. Here, the participation of iNOS/nNOS isoforms in the mitochondrial dysfunction was analyzed in iNOS and nNOS deficient mice. Our results showed that MPTP increased iNOS activity in substantia nigra and striatum, whereas it sharply reduced complex I activity and mitochondrial bioenergetics in all strains. In the presence of MPTP, mice lacking iNOS showed similar restricted mitochondrial function than wild type or mice lacking nNOS. These results suggest that iNOS-dependent elevated nitric oxide, a major pathological hallmark of neuroinflammation in PD, does not contribute to mitochondrial impairment. Therefore, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysregulation seem to act in parallel in the MPTP model of PD. Melatonin administration, with well-reported neuroprotective properties, counteracted these effects, preventing from the drastic changes in mitochondrial oxygen consumption, increased NOS activity and prevented reduced locomotor activity induced by MPTP. The protective effects of melatonin on mitochondria are also independent of its anti-inflammatory properties, but both effects are required for an effective anti-parkinsonian activity of the indoleamine as reported in this study.

Melatonin administration to wild-type mice and nontreated NLRP3 mutant mice share similar inhibition of the inflammatory response during sepsis

The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the innate immune response during inflammation. Moreover, melatonin blunts the NF-κB/NLRP3 connection during sepsis. Thus, we compared the roles of the NLRP3 inflammasome and/or melatonin treatment in the septic response of wild-type and NLRP3^-/- mice. Mouse myocardial tissue was used for this purpose. The nuclear turnover of NF-κB was enhanced during sepsis, with an increase in TNFα, iNOS, and pro-IL-1β. The lack of inflammasome in NLRP3^-/- mice significantly reduced that response and blunted IL-1β maturation due to the lack of caspase-1. Clock and Bmal1 did not change in both mouse strains, enhancing Chrono expression in mutants. RORα, which positively regulates Bmal1, was enhanced at a similar extend in both mouse strains, whereas the expression of the Bmal1 repressor, Rev-Erbα, increased in WT but was depressed in NLRP3^-/- mice. Nampt, transcriptionally controlled by Bmal1, increased in WT mice together with Sirt1, whereas they remained unchanged in NLRP3^-/- mice. Melatonin treatment reduced the septic response in a comparable manner as did the lack of NLRP3, but unlike the latter, it normalized the clock genes turnover through the induction of RORα and repression of Rev-Erbα and Per2, leading to enhanced Nampt and Sirt1. The lack of NLRP3 inflammasome converts sepsis to a moderate inflammatory disease and identifies NLRP3 as a main target for the treatment of sepsis. The efficacy of melatonin in counteracting the NLRP3 inflammasome activation further confirms the indoleamine as a useful therapeutic drug against this serious condition.

The benefit of a supplement with the antioxidant melatonin on redox status and muscle damage in resistance-trained athletes

Previous data showed that the administration of high doses of melatonin improved the circadian system in athletes. Here, we investigated in the same experimental paradigm whether the antioxidant properties of melatonin has also beneficial effects against exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage in athletes. Twenty-four athletes were treated with 100 mg·day−1 of melatonin or placebo 30 min before bedtime during 4 weeks in a randomized double-blind scheme. Exercise intensity was higher during the study that before starting it. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment, and plasma was used for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitrite plus nitrate (NOx), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) determinations. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GRd) activities, were measured in erythrocytes. Melatonin intake increased ORAC, reduced LPO and NOx levels, and prevented the increase of AOPP, compared to placebo group. Melatonin was also more efficient than placebo in reducing GSSG·GSH−1 and GPx·GRd−1 ratios. Melatonin, but not placebo, reduced creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and total cholesterol levels. Overall, the data reflect a beneficial effect of melatonin treatment in resistance-training athletes, preventing extra- and intracellular oxidative stress induced by exercise, and yielding further skeletal muscle protection against exercise-induced oxidative damage.

Melatonin rescues zebrafish embryos from the parkinsonian phenotype restoring the parkin/PINK1/DJ-1/MUL1 network

Multiple studies reporting mitochondrial impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) involve knockout or knockdown models to inhibit the expression of mitochondrial-related genes, including parkin, PINK1, and DJ-1 ones. Melatonin has significant neuroprotective properties, which have been related to its ability to boost mitochondrial bioenergetics. The meaning and molecular targets of melatonin in PD are yet unclear. Zebrafish are an outstanding model of PD because they are vertebrates, their dopaminergic system is comparable to the nigrostriatal system of humans, and their brains express the same genes as mammals. The exposure of 24 hpf zebrafish embryos to MPTP leads to a significant inhibition of the mitochondrial complex I and the induction of sncga gene, responsible for enhancing γ-synuclein accumulation, which is related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, MPTP inhibited the parkin/PINK1/DJ-1 expression, impeding the normal function of the parkin/PINK1/DJ-1/MUL1 network to remove the damaged mitochondria. This situation remains over time, and removing MPTP from the treatment did not stop the neurodegenerative process. On the contrary, mitochondria become worse during the next 2 days without MPTP, and the embryos developed a severe motor impairment that cannot be rescued because the mitochondrial-related gene expression remained inhibited. Melatonin, added together with MPTP or added once MPTP was removed, prevented and recovered, respectively, the parkinsonian phenotype once it was established, restoring gene expression and normal function of the parkin/PINK1/DJ-1/MUL1 loop and also the normal motor activity of the embryos. The results show, for the first time, that melatonin restores brain function in zebrafish suffering with Parkinson-like disease.

Same molecule but different expression: aging and sepsis trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation, a target of melatonin

The connection between the innate immune system, clock genes, and mitochondrial bioenergetics was analyzed during aging and sepsis in mouse heart. Our results suggest that the sole NF-κB activation does not explain the inflammatory process underlying aging; the former also triggers the NLRP3 inflammasome that enhances caspase-1-dependent maturation of IL-1β. In this way, aged mice enter into a vicious cycle as IL-1β further activates the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome link. The origin of NF-κB activation was related to the age-dependent Bmal1/Clock/RORα/Rev-Erbα loop disruption, which lowers NAD(+) levels, reducing the SIRT1 deacetylase ability to inactivate NF-κB. Consequently, NF-κB binding to DNA increases, raising the formation of proinflammatory mediators and inducing mitochondrial impairment. The cycle is then closed with the subsequent NLRP3 inflammasome activation. This paired contribution of the innate immune pathways serves as a catalyst to magnify the response to sepsis in aged compared with young mice. Melatonin administration blunted the septic response, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and enhancing mitochondrial function at the levels of nonseptic aged mice, but it did not counteract the age-related inflammation. Together, our results suggest that, although with different strengths, chronoinflammaging constitutes the biochemical substrate of aging and sepsis, and identifies the NLRP3 inflammasome as a new molecular target for melatonin, providing a rationale for its use in NLRP3-dependent diseases.