Document Detail


Is modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by melatonin relevant for therapy with cholinergic drugs?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20398699     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Melatonin, the darkness hormone, synchronizes several physiological functions to light/dark cycle. Besides the awake/sleep cycle that is intuitively linked to day/night, daily variations in memory acquisition and innate or acquired immune responses are some of the major activities linked to melatonin rhythm. The daily variation of these complex processes is due to changes in specific mechanisms. In the last years we focused on the influence of melatonin on the expression and function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Melatonin, either "in vivo" or "in vitro", increases, in a selective manner, the efficiency of alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BTX)-sensitive nAChRs. Melatonin's effect on receptors located in rat sympathetic nerve terminals, cerebellum, skeletal muscle and chick retina, was tested. We observed that melatonin is essential for the development of alpha-BTX-sensitive nAChRs, and important for receptor maintenance in aging models. Taking into account that both melatonin and alpha-7 nAChRs (one of the subtypes sensitive to alpha-BTX) are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease, here we discuss the possibility of a therapeutic strategy focused on both melatonin replacement and its potential association with cholinergic drugs.
Authors:
Regina P Markus; Claudia L M Silva; Daiane Gil Franco; Eduardo Mortani Barbosa; Zulma S Ferreira
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review     Date:  2010-04-14
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pharmacology & therapeutics     Volume:  126     ISSN:  1879-016X     ISO Abbreviation:  Pharmacol. Ther.     Publication Date:  2010 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-05-21     Completed Date:  2011-01-13     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7905840     Medline TA:  Pharmacol Ther     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  251-62     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Chronopharmacology, Department of Physiology, Institute of Bioscience, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. rpmarkus@usp.br
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy,  metabolism
Animals
Cholinergic Agents / administration & dosage*
Drug Therapy, Combination
Humans
Melatonin / administration & dosage*,  physiology*
Receptors, Nicotinic / physiology*
Signal Transduction / drug effects,  physiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Cholinergic Agents; 0/Receptors, Nicotinic; 73-31-4/Melatonin

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