In vitro effects of steroid hormones on arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) activity in the pineal of fish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) during different phases of breeding cycle.

In vitro effects of gonadal hormones (testosterone, 17beta-estradiol estriol and estrone) and corticosteroid hormones (corticosterone and cortisol) were studied on arylalklyamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT) activity in the pineal organ of the fish, C. gariepinus during quiescent, progressive, breeding and regressive phases of its annual breeding cycle. The pineals were collected under dim red light, maintained in organ culture for 7 hr and incubated with three concentrations (10(-6), 10(-5) and 10(-4) M) of hormones for 6 hr. The treatments with gonadal hormones and corticosteroid hormones inhibited pineal AA-NAT activity in a dose-dependent manner during all the phases of the breeding cycle. AA-NAT activity was comparatively more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of the gonadal hormones during the regressive phase and less sensitive during the quiescent phase. Further, the enzyme activity was more sensitive to the inhibitory effects of corticosteroid hormones (corticosterone and cortisol) during the breeding phase and less sensitive during the quiescent phase. These findings seem to suggest that gonadal hormones and corticosteroid hormones have direct inhibitory influence on AA-NAT activity and, hence melatonin synthesis in the photoreceptive pineal organ of C. gariepinus.

The "third eye"-- a new concept of trans-differentiation of pineal gland into median eye in amphibian tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus.

Median third eye was found to develop from transplanted pineal gland of external gill stage tadpoles in the recipient 5 toe stage tadpoles of Bufo melanostictus. Pineal gland along with a bit part of brain tissue of the donor external gill stage tadpole was cut out and transplanted into a pit made between two lateral eyes of 5 toe stage recipient tadpoles. Half of the operated tadpoles were treated with vitamin A (15 IU/ml.) for 15 days. Median "third eye" was found to develop in the both untreated and vitamin A treated tadpoles. However, vitamin A increased the percentage of the development of median eyes. Morphological and histological study revealed that newly transformed median eyes were similar to that of normal functional eyes. A stalk like structure developed which connects the median eye to the brain. The median third eye could not develop when pineal gland of 5 toe stage mature tadpole was transplanted into the tadpole of the same age.

Pineal and 5-methoxyindoles in the regulation of seasonal testicular cycle in Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti.

Effects of late afternoon injections of different doses of melatonin (aMT) and 5-methoxytryptamine (MT) were studied on the testes in sham operated (SO) and pinealectomized (Px) F. pennanti during various reproductive phases. 5-methoxyindoles (MI) in doses 10 and 50 micrograms given for 60 continuous days reduced the weight and activity of the testes in SO and Px animals during the active and regressive phases. During the inactive phase MI administration caused an inhibitory influence on the testes of Px animals. However, during the recrudescence phase no significant effect of MI injections was visible. Both aMT and MT injected for 20 and 40 days respectively failed to influence the testes significantly. Also 1 microgram of the MI had no effect. The results suggest a reproductive phase dependent effect of aMT and MT on the testes of this tropical rodent. The dose and duration of administration are critical and their effects are independent of the pineal gland.

Reproductive phase dependent effects of dietary L-tryptophan on biochemical constituents of pineal gland in male Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti.

Tryptophan serves as the substrate for the synthesis of various hydroxy- and methoxyindoles in the pineal gland. In the present study L-tryptophan (L-Trp; 0.5 mg/animal/day) was given in drinking water to male Indian Palm Squirrel for 30 days during reproductive active and pineal inactive phase (April) as well as during reproductive inactive and pineal active phase (December). During reproductive active phase serotonin (5-HT) content of pineal gland increased while accessory sex organ's weight decreased without affecting testes weight. During reproductive inactive phase all the biochemical constituents (protein, cholesterol and serotonin) of pineal gland decreased while testes and accessory sex organ's weight increased. This indicates a reproductive phase dependent effect of L-Trp on the biochemistry of pineal gland including 5-HT synthesis/release which in turn (via melatonin) manipulates reproductive functions of this rodent.

The release of catecholamines by an endogenous factor that inhibits neuronal Na+, K(+)-ATPase

Se ha demostrado que la inhibición de la Na+, K+-ATPasa produce liberación de neurotransmisor en distintos modelos experimentales. En este laboratorio se observó previamente que una fracción soluble separada mediante Sephadex G-50 (pico II) es capaz de inhibir la actividad de Na+, K+-ATPasa pero no de otras enzimas asociadas a membranas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue probar el efecto de la fracción pico II de cerebro sobre el contenido de neurotransmisor de las vesículas sinápticas de los nervios pineales. Se usaron ratas no inyectadas y ratas inyectadas 30 min antes con 5-hidroxidopamina (30 mg per Kg, i.p.). La 5-hidroxidopamina produce un falso neurotransmisor cuya presencia en las vesículas sinápticas se visualiza luego de la fijación con glutaraldehído-osmio como un material electrón denso que llena total o parcialmente las vesículas. En ratas no inyectadas se estudió la osmiofilia y la reacción cromafín del nucleoide electron denso. Las glándulas pineales se incubaron en solución Tyrode sin calcio en presencia y ausencia de pico II a temperatura ambiente y se estudiaron al microscopio electrónico. Cuando las glándulas de las ratas pretratadas con 5-hidroxidopamina se incubaron con pico II se observó una disminución siginificativa en el número de vesículas totalmente llenas de material electrón denso. Esto indica una reducción en el contenido de falso neurotransmisor contenido en la matriz de las vesículas sinápticas. Este efecto sobre las vesículas sinápticas no se observó en presencia de pico II invejecido, que no inhibe la Na+, K+-ATPasa. Cuando las gládulas de ratas no inyectadas se incubaron con pico II no se observaron cambios ni en la osmiofilia ni en la reacción cromafin de las vesículas sinápticas. La osmiofilia y la reacción cromafin del nucleoide electrón denso marca el sitio de acumulación de monoaminas (catecol e indolaminas en los nervios pineales). Estos resultados son coherentes con la idea de una relación entre la inhibición de la actividad de Na+, K+-ATPasa y la liberación de una fracción de neurotransmisor acumulado en los terminales nerviosos

The pineal gland: its physiological and pharmacological role.

Our perception of pineal gland function has attained new dimensions during the last decade. The gland is active throughout the life of an individual and secretes melatonin, the major pineal hormone, and many indoles and polypeptides. The secretion of pineal gland is regulated not only by sympathetic nerve fibers but by other central pinealopetal projections also. Many neurotransmitter-receptor sites have been identified recently in the pineal gland. The gland plays an established role in controlling reproduction and is involved in the control of sexual maturation. It has a major influence on the circadian organization of vertebrates including human beings. The hormone melatonin has a potential therapeutic valve in treating disorders that are associated with biological rhythm disturbances like sleep disorders, "jet lag" phenomena and affective disorders. The gland is actively involved in the mechanisms controlling sleep-wakefulness cycle and human mood disorders. It actively participates in the neuroendocrine mechanism controlling stress and acts even as an oncostatic gland. The pineal gland may be considered an "equilibrating-tranquilizing gland" contributing to longevity.