Melatonin's role as an anticonvulsant and neuronal protector: experimental and clinical evidence.

The pineal gland classically has been considered as a vestigial and mystic organ. In the last decades, and with the incorporation of new methodologic procedures, it could be proved that it also has physiologic actions that vary depending on the level of the phylogenetic scale. Its best-known secretion, melatonin, has been related to many different actions, such as sleep promotion, control of biologic rhythms, hormonal inhibition, and an inhibiting action on central nervous system regulation mechanisms.

Comparison between tryptophan methoxyindole and kynurenine metabolic pathways in normal and preterm neonates and in neonates with acute fetal distress.

Objective: To analyze the kynurenine and methoxyindole metabolic pathways of tryptophan in order to identify changes in premature neonates and in neonates suffering from fetal distress.

Methods: One hundred and twelve neonates were assigned to three groups: normal neonates (control group), preterm neonates (neonates born before the 37th gestational week) and neonates suffering from fetal distress. Each of these groups was then divided in two subgroups according to the time of birth corresponding with the time of blood sampling: a diurnal subgroup, comprising neonates whose blood was sampled between 0900 and 2100 h, and a nocturnal subgroup, comprising neonates whose blood was sampled between 2100 and 0900 h.