Involvement of nuclear binding sites for melatonin in the regulation of IL-2 and IL-6 production by human blood mononuclear cells.

Many functional studies show that melatonin plays a fundamental role in neuroimmunomodulation. In this paper, we have extended our studies on the influence of melatonin on IL-2 and IL-6 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by comparing the effects of the specific membrane receptor agonist S 20098, the RZR/ROR(alpha) receptor agonist CGP 52608, and structurally related thiazolidinediones. Melatonin bound to membranes as well as to nuclei of human PBMCs with about the same affinity (IC50 values around 5 nM).

Membrane-bound calmodulin in Xenopus laevis oocytes as a novel binding site for melatonin.

Melatonin has been suggested as a physiological antagonist of calmodulin. In this work, we have characterized melatonin binding sites in Xenopus laevis oocyte membranes. Binding of [125I]melatonin by X.

Physiological concentrations of melatonin inhibit the norepinephrine-induced activation of prostaglandin E2 and cyclic AMP production in rat hypothalamus: a mechanism involving inhibiton of nitric oxide synthase.

In this paper, we summarize the results of in vitro studies showing that physiological concentrations of melatonin inhibit the norepinephrine-induced activation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cyclic AMP production in rat medial basal hypothalamus (MBH). Interestingly, a concentration of melatonin as low as 1 nM, which is roughly equivalent to the nocturnal serum physiological concentration of the hormone in the rat, significantly inhibit PGE2 and cyclic AMP production in the MBH. The suppressive effect of melatonin may be mediated by an inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, since the stimulatory effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a spontaneous generator of NO, was not prevented by melatonin.

Circadian variations in the rat serum total antioxidant status: correlation with melatonin levels.

In this paper, we show for the first time, a nyctohemeral rhythm in serum total antioxidant status (TAS) in rats which parallels the 24-H melatonin cycle. Both TAS and melatonin in rat serum exhibited 24 hr variations with nocturnal peak values at 05.00 hr and low basal values during the day.

Specific binding of melatonin by purified cell nuclei from spleen and thymus of the rat.

In the present paper, we show that pineal hormone melatonin interacts with purified cell nuclei from rat spleen and thymus. Binding of 2-[125I]iodomelatonin ([125I]melatonin) by cell nuclei fulfills all criteria for binding to a receptor site. Binding exhibited properties such as dependence on time and temperature as well as reversibility, saturability, high affinity, and specificity.

Functional characterization and mRNA expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptors in rat peritoneal macrophages.

The present work characterizes the mRNA expression of PACAP type I receptors in rat peritoneal macrophages but not in peritoneal lymphocytes by both retrotranscriptase and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and homologous Southern hybridization and the stimulation by PACAP27, PACAP38 and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol production in rat peritoneal macrophage membranes. The binding of [125I]PACAP27 was time and cell concentration dependent. Scatchard analysis of displacement of the bound tracer by unlabeled PACAP27 indicates the existence of two classes of binding sites.

Melatonin enhances IL-2, IL-6, and IFN-gamma production by human circulating CD4+ cells: a possible nuclear receptor-mediated mechanism involving T helper type 1 lymphocytes and monocytes.

This paper shows that melatonin is able to activate human Th1 lymphocytes by increasing the production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in vitro. Th2 cells appear not to be affected by melatonin, since IL-4, which is mostly produced by Th2 cells, is not modified by the hormone. Melatonin also enhances IL-6 production by PBMCs.

Expression of the Mel1a-melatonin receptor mRNA in T and B subsets of lymphocytes from rat thymus and spleen.

In the present work we analyze by reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, cDNA cloning, and sequence analysis the expression of membrane melatonin receptors in rat thymus and spleen. Results show, for the first time, that the melatonin receptor mRNA is expressed in both the thymus and spleen. Moreover, the melatonin receptor mRNA was expressed in all the lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4+,CD8+, double positive, double negative, and B cells) studied from the rat thymus.

Different experimental conditions which regulate type II 5'-deiodinase mRNA in rat Harderian gland.

In the present study, we describe the modifications in the expression of type II 5'deiodinase activity (5'D) in Xenopus laevis oocytes by injection of polyadenylated (poly A) mRNA from hypothyroid rat Harderian gland. The time-course study showed that the expression of the enzyme was dependent on time. Thus, enzyme activity was observed in oocytes 6 and 12 hours after the injection with poly A mRNA, reaching a maximal value at 24 hours.

Histological changes during development of the cerebellum in the chick embryo exposed to a static magnetic field.

Few studies have been performed to evaluate the ultrastructural changes that exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) can cause to the processes of cell migration and differentiation in the cerebellum during development. Thus, we have studied the development of the cerebellum in the chick embryo (n = 144) under a uniform SMF (20 mT). All of our observations were done on folium VIc of Larsell's classification.

Binding of [125I]iodocyanopindolol by rat harderian gland crude membranes: kinetic characteristics and day-night variations.

The Harderian glands are innervated by sympathetic fibers originating in the superior cervical ganglia. The aim of this study is to characterize the beta-adrenergic receptors in the rat Harderian gland. The characteristics of beta-adrenergic receptors were determined in crude membrane preparations from rat Harderian gland, using [125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]CYP) as radioligand.

Beta- and alpha-adrenergic mechanisms are involved in regulating type II thyroxine 5'-deiodinase in rat thymus.

The role of adrenergic receptors in regulation of rat thymus type II thyroxine 5'-deiodinase (5'-D) activity was investigated. Our results show that norepinephrine, an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist elicited an increase in thymus 5'-D activity. Isoproterenol, beta-adrenergic agonist, also increased the enzyme activity, being less effective than norepinephrine.

Estimation of pH and autoprotolysis constants in mixtures of aliphatic amides with water: Medium effect on the 4-aminoazobenzene system.

Correction factors to the glass electrode and autoprotolysis constants of mixtures of aliphatic amides with water: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), N-methylformamide (NMF), N-methylacetamide (NMA), formamide (F) and acetamide (A), have been determined. The acidity constants of 4-aminoazobenzene referred to the standard state of the mixtures of these aliphatic amides with water as well as the medium effect on the 4-aminoazobenzene system have been evaluated from spectrophotometric measurements.

Effect of K+ channel-blockers on sugar uptake by isolated chicken enterocytes.

The effects of Ba2+, quinine, verapamil, and Ca2(+)-free saline solutions on sugar active transport have been investigated in isolated chicken enterocytes. Ba2+, quinine, and verapamil, which have been shown to inhibit Ca2(+)-activated K+ channels, decreased basal and theophylline-dependent 3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MG) accumulation. Ca2(+)-free conditions reduced 3-O-MG uptake in theophylline-treated enterocytes, but it had no effect in control cells.

Determination of the optimum working range in spectrophotometric procedures.

A brief introduction to the topics of covariance and variance is given in this paper. An abstract vectorial space, the "precision pattern space" is introduced in order to find the general expression for the law of random error propagation. A new approach to the determination of the optimum working range in spectrophotometric procedures has been developed.

Mathematical treatment of absorbance versus pH graphs of polybasic acids.

Mathematical relationships determining the shape of absorbance vs. pH graphs of polybasic acids are derived, and new graphical and numerical techniques for evaluating the acidity constants of two-step overlapping equilibria are examined.

Spectrophotometric methods for the evaluation of acidity constants--II: Numerical methods for two-step overlapping equilibria.

A brief review of the numerical methods employed in the evaluation of acidity constants of two step overlapping equilibria is given. A new alternative to the method of three equations developed by Thamer is also proposed in this paper. Taking into account the Gauss-elimination method, several variants to the original method of Thamer are devised.

Spectrophotometric methods for the evaluation of acidity constants-I Numerical methods for single equilibria.

The spectrophotometric methods applicable to the numerical evaluation of acidity constants of monobasic acids are briefly reviewed. The equations are presented in a form suitable for easy calculation with a programmable pocket calculator. The aim of this paper is to cover a gap in the education analytical literature.