Melatonin and Jet Lag Syndrome: Experimental Model and Clinical Implications

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory F. Oxenkrug ◽  
Pura J. Requintina

AbstractWhat is the effect of melatonin on jet lag syndrome? Jet lag desynchronizes the internal sleep-wakefulness cycle with the environmental light/dark cycle. Advance (but not delay) of light onset is known to abolish pineal N-acetyltransferase activity and urine excretion of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin. Measurements of pineal serotonin, the substrate of melatonin biosynthesis; N-acetylserotonin (NAS), the immediate melatonin precursor; and melatonin (high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorimetric method) in the animal (rat) model of jet lag revealed that prolonged delay of darkphase onset disrupted the rhytms in comparable ways as the advance of light-phase onset. Advance of dark phase onset resulted in less severe disturbances of rhythms as compared with the advance of light phase onset. Melatonin, but not NAS, injections at the beginning of a new dark period accelerated recovery of NAS and melatonin, but not serotonin, rhythms. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were more sensitive to advance of light onset and less responsive to melatonin injections than normotensive rats. NAS and methylene blue, an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, attenuated light-induced disruption of NAS but not melatonin rhythms. We draw the following conclusions from our data: the beginning of the dark period may be preferable to the beginning of light period as the arrival time on eastward flights; the efficacy of melatonin in alleviating jet lag may be enchanced by administering it before, during and after rapid transition through time zones; and hypertension may exaggerate jet lag syndrome.

2005 ◽  
Vol 71 (8) ◽  
pp. 4567-4576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsa Leitão ◽  
Fredrik Oxelfelt ◽  
Paulo Oliveira ◽  
Pedro Moradas-Ferreira ◽  
Paula Tamagnini

ABSTRACT This work presents the characterization of an uptake hydrogenase from a marine filamentous nonheterocystous cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula CCAP 1446/4. The structural genes encoding the uptake hydrogenase (hupSL) were isolated and characterized, and regulatory sequences were identified upstream of hupS. In silico analysis highlighted various sets of long repetitive sequences within the hupSL intergenic region and downstream of hupL. The transcriptional regulator that operates global nitrogen control in cyanobacteria (NtcA) was shown to bind to the promoter region, indicating its involvement in the transcriptional regulation of hupSL. Under N2-fixing conditions and a 12-h light/12-h dark regime, H2 uptake activity was shown to follow a daily pattern with a clear maximum towards the end of the dark period, preceded by an increase in the transcript levels initiated in the end of the light phase. Novel antibodies directed against HupL of Lyngbya majuscula CCAP 1446/4 were used to monitor the protein levels throughout the 24-h period. The results suggest that protein turnover occurs, with degradation taking place during the light phase and de novo synthesis occurring during the dark phase, coinciding with the pattern of H2 uptake. Taking into account our results and the established correlation between the uptake hydrogenase activity and N2 fixation in cyanobacteria, it seems probable that both processes are confined to the dark period in aerobically grown cells of Lyngbya majuscula CCAP 1446/4.


HortScience ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1177d-1177
Author(s):  
Heather. H. Friend ◽  
Arne Sæbø ◽  
Dennis R. Decoteau

Previous research has demonstrated that watermelon plants are sensitive to changes in light quality, as suggested by an individual treatment of plants with 15-min of end-of-day (EOD) red (R)and far-red (FR) light. FR-induced growth responses (i.e., petiole elongation, internode elongation, reduced petiole angles) were reversed by immediately following the FR light treatment with R light implicating phytochrome as the light quality perception mechanism. The objective of the present experiment was to determine the influence of individual and multiple FR light treatments (each treatment of 15-min duration) during the light and dark phase of the photoperiod on photomorphogenic growth responses of young watermelon plants. Light regulated growth responses of watermelon were influenced by the timing and the number of light quality exposures during the light or dark phase of the photoperiod. Individual FR treatments during the light phase except for the EOD exposure did not affect plant growth responses. In contrast, individual FR treatments at selected intervals during the dark period affected plant development. The most effective individual FR treatment to induce growth responses was at the beginning of the dark period, with decreasing responses as the FR treatment was delayed into the dark period. Multiple exposures of FR during the dark slightly increased growth responses as compared to a single EOD FR treatment.


1993 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi-Yan Zhao ◽  
Yvan Touitou

The kinetic characteristics of melatonin release were documented in perifused pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed at six circadian stages (light/dark =12:12): three during the light phase, i.e. 3, 7 and 11 hours after light onset (HALO), and three during the dark phase, i.e. 15, 19 and 23 HALO. Whatever the circadian stage, the melatonin release decreased during the first 3–4 h and then remained fairly constant and roughly similar up to 8 h of perifusion. However, the kinetics of the release in the first 3 h differed in perifusions of pineal glands removed during the light (progressive decline during 3 h) as compared to perifusions of pineal glands removed during the dark (sharp decline during the first hour and then a progressive decline until reaching a constant level after 3 h). As the effects of steroid administration on melatonin secretion are a matter of controversy, we also studied the direct effects and their circadian stage dependence, if any, of corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone and dexamethasone on melatonin secretion by pineal glands removed 7 HALO (about the middle of the light phase) and 19 HALO (about the middle of the dark phase). High concentrations of corticosterone (0.8 × 10−1 mol/l) and dexamethasone (0.4×10−3 mol/l) resulted in a significant (p<0.001) inhibitory effect on melatonin production (about a 50% and a 30% decrease, respectively) whatever the circadian stage, whereas lower concentrations (10−4–10−5 mol/l of both steroids did not affect melatonin production. In addition, neither pharmacological (1.06 × 10−5 mol/l) nor physiological (for the rat) concentrations (2.1 × 10−7 mol/l) of deoxycorticosterone had any significant effect on pineal melatonin production. These data clearly show the time dependence of the kinetics of melatonin release and an effect of adrenocortical steroids on pineal melatonin production that may be quite different according to the steroid and dosage.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha López-Canul ◽  
Seung Hyun Min ◽  
Luca Posa ◽  
Danilo De Gregorio ◽  
Annalida Bedini ◽  
...  

Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone that regulates many physiological functions including sleep, pain, thermoregulation, and circadian rhythms. MLT acts mainly through two G-protein-coupled receptors named MT1 and MT2, but also through an MLT type-3 receptor (MT3). However, the role of MLT receptor subtypes in thermoregulation is still unknown. We have thus investigated the effects of selective and non-selective MLT receptor agonists/antagonists on body temperature (Tb) in rats across the 12/12-h light–dark cycle. Rectal temperature was measured every 15 min from 4:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., following subcutaneous injection of each compound at either 5:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. MLT (40 mg/kg) had no effect when injected at 5 a.m., whereas it decreased Tb during the light phase only when injected at 5:00 p.m. This effect was blocked by the selective MT2 receptor antagonist 4P-PDOT and the non-selective MT1/MT2 receptor antagonist, luzindole, but not by the α1/MT3 receptors antagonist prazosin. However, unlike MLT, neither the selective MT1 receptor partial agonist UCM871 (14 mg/kg) nor the selective MT2 partial agonist UCM924 (40 mg/kg) altered Tb during the light phase. In contrast, UCM871 injected at 5:00 p.m. increased Tb at the beginning of the dark phase, whereas UCM924 injected at 5:00 a.m. decreased Tb at the end of the dark phase. These effects were blocked by luzindole and 4P-PDOT, respectively. The MT3 receptor agonist GR135531 (10 mg/kg) did not affect Tb. These data suggest that the simultaneous activation of both MT1 and MT2 receptors is necessary to regulate Tb during the light phase, whereas in a complex but yet unknown manner, they regulate Tb differently during the dark phase. Overall, MT1 and MT2 receptors display complementary but also distinct roles in modulating circadian fluctuations of Tb.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3398
Author(s):  
Yi Long ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Yongli Zhang ◽  
Wenzhe Li

Inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites, as alternative light absorbers for organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells, have attracted more and more attention due to their superb thermal stability for photovoltaic applications. However, the humid air instability of CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells (PSCs) hinders their further development. The optoelectronic properties of CsPbI2Br films are closely related to the quality of films, so preparing high-quality perovskite films is crucial for fabricating high-performance PSCs. For the first time, we demonstrate that the regulation of ambient temperature of the dry air in the glovebox is able to control the growth of CsPbI2Br crystals and further optimize the morphology of CsPbI2Br film. Through controlling the ambient air temperature assisted crystallization, high-quality CsPbI2Br films are obtained, with advantages such as larger crystalline grains, negligible crystal boundaries, absence of pinholes, lower defect density, and faster carrier mobility. Accordingly, the PSCs based on as-prepared CsPbI2Br film achieve a power conversion efficiency of 15.5% (the maximum stabilized power output of 15.02%). Moreover, the optimized CsPbI2Br films show excellent robustness against moisture and oxygen and maintain the photovoltaic dark phase after 3 h aging in an air atmosphere at room temperature and 35% relative humidity (R.H.). In comparison, the pristine films are completely converted to the yellow phase in 1.5 h.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shona L. Halson ◽  
Louise M. Burke ◽  
Jeni Pearce

Domestic and international travel represents a regular challenge to high-performance track-and-field athletes, particularly when associated with the pressure of competition or the need to support specialized training (e.g., altitude or heat adaptation). Jet lag is a challenge for transmeridian travelers, while fatigue and alterations to gastrointestinal comfort are associated with many types of long-haul travel. Planning food and fluid intake that is appropriate to the travel itinerary may help to reduce problems. Resynchronization of the body clock is achieved principally through manipulation of zeitgebers, such as light exposure; more investigation of the effects of melatonin, caffeine, and the timing/composition of meals will allow clearer guidelines for their contribution to be prepared. At the destination, the athlete, the team management, and catering providers each play a role in achieving eating practices that support optimal performance and success in achieving the goals of the trip. Although the athlete is ultimately responsible for his or her nutrition plan, best practice by all parties will include pretrip consideration of risks around the quality, quantity, availability, and hygiene standards of the local food supply and the organization of strategies to deal with general travel nutrition challenges as well as issues that are specific to the area or the special needs of the group. Management of buffet-style eating, destination-appropriate protocols around food/water and personal hygiene, and arrangement of special food needs including access to appropriate nutritional support between the traditional “3 meals a day” schedule should be part of the checklist.


1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1425-1427 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Byrne

Intraperitoneal injections administered for 3 consecutive days to juvenile sockeye salmon resulted in selective activity responses to either the light or the dark phase of the photoperiodic cycle. Serotonin increased locomotor activity only during the dark phase, while melatonin decreased locomotor activity only during the light phase.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2011
Author(s):  
David Ewusi-Mensah ◽  
Jingyu Huang ◽  
Laura Katherin Chaparro ◽  
Pau Rodenas ◽  
Marina Ramírez-Moreno ◽  
...  

Algae-assisted microbial desalination cells represent a sustainable technology for low-energy fresh water production in which microalgae culture is integrated into the system to enhance oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode chamber. However, the water production (desalination rate) is low compared to conventional technologies (i.e., reverse osmosis and/or electrodialysis), as biocathodes provide low current generation to sustain the desalination process. In this sense, more research efforts on this topic are necessary to address this bottleneck. Thus, this study provides analysis, from the electrochemical point of view, on the cathode performance of an algae-assisted microbial desalination cell (MDC) using Chlorella vulgaris. Firstly, the system was run with a pure culture of Chlorella vulgaris suspension in the cathode under conditions of an abiotic anode to assess the cathodic behavior (i.e., cathode polarization curves in light-dark conditions and oxygen depletion). Secondly, Geobacter sulfurreducens was inoculated in the anode compartment of the MDC, and the desalination cycle was carried out. The results showed that microalgae could generate an average of 9–11.5 mg/L of dissolved oxygen during the light phase, providing enough dissolved oxygen to drive the migration of ions (i.e., desalination) in the MDC system. Moreover, during the dark phase, a residual concentration of oxygen (ca. 5.5–8 mg/L) was measured, indicating that oxygen was not wholly depleted under our experimental conditions. Interestingly, the oxygen concentration was restored (after complete depletion of dissolved oxygen by flushing with N2) as soon as microalgae were exposed to the light phase again. After a 31 h desalination cycle, the cell generated a current density of 0.12 mA/cm2 at an efficiency of 60.15%, 77.37% salt was removed at a nominal desalination rate of 0.63 L/m2/h, coulombic efficiency was 9%, and 0.11 kWh/m3 of electric power was generated. The microalgae-assisted biocathode has an advantage over the air diffusion and bubbling as it can self-sustain a steady and higher concentration of oxygen, cost-effectively regenerate or recover from loss and sustainably retain the system’s performance under naturally occurring conditions. Thus, our study provides insights into implementing the algae-assisted cathode for sustainable desalination using MDC technology and subsequent optimization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe P. Fiuza ◽  
José Pablo G. Queiroz ◽  
Antônio Carlos Q. Aquino ◽  
Diego A. Câmara ◽  
Luiz Eduardo M. Brandão ◽  
...  

Aging affects the overall physiology, including the image-forming and non-image forming visual systems. Among the components of the latter, the thalamic retinorecipient inter-geniculate leaflet (IGL) and ventral lateral geniculate (vLGN) nucleus conveys light information to subcortical regions, adjusting visuomotor, and circadian functions. It is noteworthy that several visual related cells, such as neuronal subpopulations in the IGL and vLGN are neurochemically characterized by the presence of calcium binding proteins. Calretinin (CR), a representative of such proteins, denotes region-specificity in a temporal manner by variable day–night expression. In parallel, age-related brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration are associated with abnormal intracellular concentrations of calcium. Here, we investigated whether daily changes in the number of CR neurons are a feature of the aged IGL and vLGN in rats. To this end, we perfused rats, ranging from 3 to 24 months of age, within distinct phases of the day, namely zeitgeber times (ZTs). Then, we evaluated CR immunolabeling through design-based stereological cell estimation. We observed distinct daily rhythms of CR expression in the IGL and in both the retinorecipient (vLGNe) and non-retinorecipient (vLGNi) portions of the vLGN. In the ZT 6, the middle of the light phase, the CR cells are reduced with aging in the IGL and vLGNe. In the ZT 12, the transition between light to dark, an age-related CR loss was found in all nuclei. While CR expression predominates in specific spatial domains of vLGN, age-related changes appear not to be restricted at particular portions. No alterations were found in the dark/light transition or in the middle of the dark phase, ZTs 0, and 18, respectively. These results are relevant in the understanding of how aging shifts the phenotype of visual related cells at topographically organized channels of visuomotor and circadian processing.


1985 ◽  
Vol 248 (4) ◽  
pp. R434-R438 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. E. Albers ◽  
L. Yogev ◽  
R. B. Todd ◽  
B. D. Goldman

The 24-h patterns of circulating cortisol and corticosterone were determined in male hamsters housed under a 14:10 light-dark cycle. Corticoid levels varied significantly over the 24-h sampling period with peak levels of both hormones occurring near the onset of the daily dark phase. The ratio of cortisol to corticosterone changed dramatically during the day. Corticosterone levels were significantly higher than cortisol during the early part of the light phase; however, cortisol levels became significantly higher than corticosterone when both hormones began their daily rise. To examine whether the circadian rhythm of cortisol secretion could be involved in the physiological control of hamster circadian organization, cortisol was infused at approximately physiological levels into adrenalectomized hamsters either continuously or in a 24-h rhythm. No significant differences were observed in the timing of circadian wheel-running rhythms in hamsters housed in LD 16:8, LD 14:10, or LL when cortisol was infused continuously, in a 24-h rhythm that mimicked the cortisol rhythm of intact hamsters, or in a 24-h rhythm several hours out of phase with the rhythm of intact hamsters. Provision of cortisol in a 24-h rhythm appeared to promote the survival of adrenalectomized hamsters since hamsters receiving a 24-h pattern of cortisol survived the experimental protocol significantly longer than those receiving the same dose of cortisol continuously.


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