MELATONIN

Melatonin (N-Acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamin) is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland of mammals but also produced in other tissues. In organisms it is synthesized from serotonin by (among others) a N-Acetyl-transferase which is activated only in the dark. It is assumed to regulate the day-night cycle in photoperiodic mammals (BINKLEY, 1979). Probably through an influence of the day length but possibly also via uptake from seasonal plants Melatonin does also influence seasonal activities in animals: It is used to initiate the mating season in sheep (BRAUKMANN, 1995). It is an efficient radical scavenger (PIERREFICHE, 1995) and an oncostatic (HILL, 1988). It is assumed that the cancer enhancing effect of electromagnetic fields is caused by the fact that the "electro smog" lowers the natural Melatonin supply (LOESCHER, 1996) The observation that certain plants are less affected by atmospheric ozone than others has induced a search for Melatonin also in plant tissues. It was recently found to be present in low concentrations in for instance tomatoes, carots and especially nuts (HATTORI, 1995; DUBBELS, 1995). Ingested Melatonin is rapidly absorbed and transported to essentially every organ including skin and muscle (REPPERT, 1978) Melatonin is non-toxic. A LD50 could not be determined (BARCHAS, 1967). Daily dosages as high as 6000 mg per night and person for one month lead to sleepiness for some hours on the next day. Occasional abdominal discomfort was reported but no serious side effects (WALDHAUSER, 1984) Melatonin is at present widely used to fight jet lag (that is to adjust the circadian rythm after travelling across time zones). In travelling West to East the internal clock has to be advanced. In this case Melatonin should be taken already on the day before departure some hours before the anticipated bed time in the Eastern location. If the time difference is three hours the first dose of (e.g. 0.5 mg) Melatonin should be taken a day before departure and on the day of departure at 14:00 o'clock (17:00 at the Eastern location) and at 17:00 on the first day in the Eastern location. In traveling West Melatonin should be taken on waking up (too early) in the Western location (BRODY/LEWY, 1995)

References

BARCHAS, J. et al., 1967: Acute pharmacology of melatonin. Nature 214; 929-930

BINKLEY, 1979: Spektrum Wiss. 1979, No. 6, p. 82-87 BRAUKMANN, 1995: Chemische Rundschau, 25 Aug. 1995, p. 8 BRODY, J.E., 1995: New York Times, August 1995

DUBBELS, R. et al., 1995: Melatonin in edible plants identified by radioimmuno assay and by gas chromatog J. Pineal Res. 1995: 18, 28-31 HATTORI, A. et al., 1995: Identification of Melatonin in plants and its effects on plasma Melatonin levels and binding to Melatonin receptors in vertebrates. Biochem and Molec. Biol. Intern. vol 35, No. 3, March 1995, 627-634

HILL, S.M. et al, 1988: Effects of the pineal hormone melatonin on proliferation and morphological characteristics of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) in culture. Cancer Res. 48:6121-6126

LOESCHER, W. et al.: 1996: Cancer Letters, vol 96, p. 175 (See also: Life Sciences, vol. 21, p 1531).

PIERREFICHE G. et al., 1995: Oxygen free radicals, melatonin and aging. Experimental Gerontology 30(3/4); 213-227, 1995

REPPERT, S.M., 1978: Transport of maternal [3H]melatonin to suckling rats and the fat of [3H]melatonin in the neonatal rat. Endocrinology 102:582-588

WALDHAUSER, F., et al., 1984: Melatonin in human body fluids: clinical significance. In Reiter, r. (ed) The Pineal Gland. Raven Press, New York, 345-369, 1984

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