Biomaterial Database

Time-dependency for the effect of different stressors on rat pineal melatonin content. 1992

D A Golombek, and L Burin, and D P Cardinali

Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

This study describes the effects of two stressors, swimming for 15 min or i.p. beta-carboline (beta-CCE) injection, on rat pineal melatonin levels when applied either at the end of the light period of daily photoperiod (1800 h) or at the expected melatonin maximum (at 2200 h). Neither procedure affected melatonin levels at 1800 h. In contrast, both stressors were effective to augment pineal melatonin content when applied at 2200 h. When applied at light-dark transition, only beta-CCE injection increased pineal melatonin levels at the middle of the night. Neither procedure was effective to counteract the inhibition of pineal melatonin content caused by prolonging the light phase for 4 h. Deprivation for two days of water, but not of food, augmented pineal melatonin levels in rats killed at the end of the light period, up to levels that were undistinguishable from those found at 2200 h. No differences were found between the two stressors and controls when tested at 2200 h. The present results further support the concept that stressful stimuli can influence differentially pineal melatonin production.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008550	Melatonin	A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
D010870	Pineal Gland	A light-sensitive neuroendocrine organ attached to the roof of the THIRD VENTRICLE of the brain. The pineal gland secretes MELATONIN, other BIOGENIC AMINES and NEUROPEPTIDES.	Epiphysis Cerebri,Pineal Body,Corpus Pineale,Gland, Pineal,Pineal Bodies,Pineal Glands
D002243	Carbolines	A group of pyrido-indole compounds. Included are any points of fusion of pyridine with the five-membered ring of indole and any derivatives of these compounds. These are similar to CARBAZOLES which are benzo-indoles.	Carboline,Pyrido(4,3-b)Indole,Beta-Carbolines,Pyrido(4,3-b)Indoles,Beta Carbolines
D002940	Circadian Rhythm	The regular recurrence, in cycles of about 24 hours, of biological processes or activities, such as sensitivity to drugs or environmental and physiological stimuli.	Diurnal Rhythm,Nyctohemeral Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythm,Nycthemeral Rhythm,Circadian Rhythms,Diurnal Rhythms,Nycthemeral Rhythms,Nyctohemeral Rhythms,Rhythm, Circadian,Rhythm, Diurnal,Rhythm, Nycthemeral,Rhythm, Nyctohemeral,Rhythm, Twenty-Four Hour,Rhythms, Circadian,Rhythms, Diurnal,Rhythms, Nycthemeral,Rhythms, Nyctohemeral,Rhythms, Twenty-Four Hour,Twenty Four Hour Rhythm,Twenty-Four Hour Rhythms
D005082	Physical Exertion	Expenditure of energy during PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Intensity of exertion may be measured by rate of OXYGEN CONSUMPTION; HEAT produced, or HEART RATE. Perceived exertion, a psychological measure of exertion, is included.	Physical Effort,Effort, Physical,Efforts, Physical,Exertion, Physical,Exertions, Physical,Physical Efforts,Physical Exertions
D005508	Food Deprivation	The withholding of food in a structured experimental situation.	Deprivation, Food,Deprivations, Food,Food Deprivations
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013550	Swimming	An activity in which the body is propelled through water by specific movement of the arms and/or the legs. Swimming as propulsion through water by the movement of limbs, tail, or fins of animals is often studied as a form of PHYSICAL EXERTION or endurance.
D017208	Rats, Wistar	A strain of albino rat developed at the Wistar Institute that has spread widely at other institutions. This has markedly diluted the original strain.	Wistar Rat,Rat, Wistar,Wistar Rats