Melatonin Membrane Receptors in Peripheral Tissues: Distribution and Functions

Many of melatonin’s actions are mediated through interaction with the G-protein coupled membrane bound melatonin receptors type 1 and type 2 (MT1 and MT2, respectively) or, indirectly with nuclear orphan receptors from the RORα/RZR family. Melatonin also binds to the quinone reductase II enzyme, previously defined the MT3 receptor. Melatonin receptors are widely distributed in the body; herein we summarize their expression and actions in non-neural tissues. Several controversies still exist regarding, for example, whether melatonin binds the RORα/RZR family. Studies of the peripheral distribution of melatonin receptors are important since they are attractive targets for immunomodulation, regulation of endocrine, reproductive and cardiovascular functions, modulation of skin pigmentation, hair growth, cancerogenesis, and aging. Melatonin receptor agonists and antagonists have an exciting future since they could define multiple mechanisms by which melatonin modulates the complexity of such a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes

Congenital Cutis Laxa Associated with Growth Retardation

Congenital cutis laxa is a rare, clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of inherited disorders. It is characterized by degenerative changes in elastic fibres and manifests with skin laxity. Here we presented a six-month old boy with congenital cutis laxa associated with growth retardation. We reveal ultrastructural findings and discussed the differential diagnosis. "Cutis Laxa Congénita Aociada con Retardo del Crecimiento" RESUMEN El laxa del cutis es un grupo raro, clínica y genéticamente heterogéneo de desórdenes heredados. Esta afección se caracteriza por cambios degenerativos en las fibras elásticas y se manifiesta en la hiperlaxitud de la piel. Aquí presentamos el caso de un niño de seis meses con cutis laxa congénita asociada con retardo del crecimiento. Se revelan los hallazgos ultra-estructurales y se discute el diagnóstico diferencial

Liver lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative damage in pancreatitis-induced hepatic injury. Thirty-five rats were divided into five groups (each of 7 rats): control, cerulein (100 µg/kg body weight), cerulein and pentoxifylline (12 mg/kg body weight), cerulein plus L-NAME (10 mg/kg body weight) and cerulein plus L-arginine (160 mg/kg body weight). The degree of hepatic cell degeneration differed significantly between groups. Mean malondialdehyde levels were 7.00 ± 2.29, 20.89 ± 10.13, 11.52 ± 4.60, 18.69 ± 8.56, and 8.58 ± 3.68 nmol/mg protein for the control, cerulein, pentoxifylline, L-NAME, and L-arginine groups, respectively. Mean catalase activity was 3.20 ± 0.83, 1.09 ± 0.35, 2.05 ± 0.91, 1.70 ± 0.60, and 2.85 ± 0.47 U/mg protein for the control, cerulein, pentoxifylline, L-NAME, and L-arginine groups, respectively, and mean glutathione peroxidase activity was 0.72 ± 0.25, 0.33 ± 0.09, 0.37 ± 0.04, 0.34 ± 0.07 and 0.42 ± 0.1 U/mg protein for the control, cerulein, pentoxifylline, L-NAME, and L-arginine groups, respectively. Cerulein-induced liver damage was accompanied by a significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05) and a significant decrease in catalase (P < 0.05) and GPx activities (P < 0.05). L-arginine and pentoxifylline, but not L-NAME, protected against this damage. Oxidative injury plays an important role not only in the pathogenesis of AP but also in pancreatitis-induced hepatic damage

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on bone formation in the expanded inter-premaxillary suture

Hakki Oguz Kazancioglu,1 Sertac Aksakalli,2 Seref Ezirganli,1 Muhammet Birlik,2 Mukaddes Esrefoglu,3 Ahmet H&uuml;seyin Acar1 1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, 3Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey Background: Narrow maxilla is a common problem in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. To solve this problem, a procedure called rapid maxillary expansion (RME) has been used. However, relapse tendency is a major problem of RME. Although relapse tendency is not clearly understood, various treatment procedures and new application has been investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the possible effectiveness of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on new bone formation in rat midpalatal suture after RME.Materials and methods: Twenty male Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. The animals were randomly divided into two groups as control and CAPE group. In CAPE group, CAPE was administered systemically via intraperitoneal injection. RME procedure was performed&nbsp;on all animals. For this purpose, the springs were placed on the maxillary incisors of rats and activated for 5 days. After then, the springs were removed and replaced with short lengths of rectangular retaining wire for consolidation period of 15 days. At the end of the study, histomorphometric analysis was carried out to assess of new bone formation.Results: New bone formation was significantly greater in CAPE group than the control group (P&lt;0.05). CAPE enhances new bone formation in midpalatal suture after RME.Conclusion: These results show that CAPE may decrease the time needed for retention. Keywords: rapid maxillary expansion, bone formation, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, midpalatal suture, histopatholog

Effects of Nigella sativa on apoptosis and GABA(A) receptor density in cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons in pentylenetetrazol induced kindling in rats

We investigated the effects of Nigella sativa on apoptosis and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor density in cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling model in rats. The PTZ kindling model was produced by injecting PTZ in subconvulsive doses to rats on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22 and 24 of the study into animals of PTZ treated (PTZ) and PTZ + N. sativa treated (PTZ + NS) groups. Clonic and tonic seizures were induced by injecting a convulsive dose of PTZ on day 26 of the study. Rats in the PTZ + NS group were treated also with a 10 mg/kg methanolic extract of N. sativa 2 h before each PTZ injection. Rats in the control group were treated with 4 ml/kg saline. The number of neurons that expressed GABA(A) receptors in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of rats in the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups increased significantly. There was no significant difference in the number of GABA(A) receptors between the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups. GABA(A) receptor density of the neurons in the cerebral cortex, but not hippocampus, was increased in PTZ group compared to controls. We observed a significant increase in the number of apoptotic neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats of both the PTZ and PTZ + NS groups compared to controls. We observed a significant decrease in the number of the apoptotic neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats in the PTZ + NS group compared to the PTZ group. N. sativa treatment ameliorated the PTZ induced neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex as reflected by neuronal apoptosis and neuronal GABA(A) receptor frequency