Mechanism of Melatonin Stimulation of Growth Hormone Release Via Somatostatin Inhibition

         When children hit puberty they experience a delay in their biological block which in turns causes a shift in melatonin. Melatonin is the natural hormone in a person’s body that notifies them if it is time to sleep or time to wake up. A distraction in this can cause many behavior health and mental health issues such as substance abuse, depression or sadly suicide. Only about a tenth of the population actually get the right amount of sleep they need. The minimum amount someone should sleep is eight full hours. In the

The second experiment sought to determine whether calcium entry is via L-type calcium channels, therefore, verapamil (10-5 M) was used to block these channels. The tissue was then stimulated using 0.2ml of Ach (10-5 M) and K+-depolarising solution.

Hypothyroidism often causes a person to sleep a lot, but the person is still tired. The parathyroids are located within the thyroid, secrete parathormone, and controls levels of calcium and phosphates in the body. The parathyroids are also involved with controlling excitability levels (Morris and Maisto, 2002).

To explain the control of biological rhythms by just referring to endogenous pacemakers such as the SCN is an example of biological reductionism. This is a limited approach as it is partial and does not take account of the interaction of endogenous pacemakers with exogenous zeitgeber. The psychologists assume that the damage to the SCN is the only causation of the disturbed sleep there is no consideration that the sleep-waking cycle could be a more complex mechanism. The SCN is connected to the pineal gland which could be the underlying cause of the disturbed sleep, due to the damage of the SCN this connection may mean that melatonin is no longer secreted efficiently. This would suggest that the SCN is only a factor within a larger pathway. Michel Siffre however did take into account the interaction of endogenous pacemakers and exogenous zeitgebers.

In order to accomplish this the researchers used partially digested DNA fragments from a Doberman pinscher to create a large insert bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) canine genomic library. PCR testing, chromosome walking, homology mapping, DNA sequencing, etc., was performed on the canine model and compared to a human model. Comparison of gene maps for several affected and non- affected animals allowed the sequence to be narrowed down into a region likely to be involved with narcolepsy. The researchers were able to determine that mutations in the hypocretin (orexin) receptor 2 gene (Hcrtr2) resulted in canine narcolepsy. On a surface level, this article was first chosen because it was one of the most frequently cited articles involving narcolepsy. However upon reading it, one can see why it has great significance. The paper established that hypocretins play a major role as neurotransmitters in sleep. Further research was conducted to see if Hcrtr2 played a similar role in humans and if targeting the gene could cure

There have been studies conducted that show that targeting melatonin receptors may be a novel way of reducing the threshold of seizure propensity. Currently, progabide is an established drug that is used to control epileptic seizures. However, there are no studies conducted that combine both melatonin agonists and GABA agonists together to treat epileptic seizures. Our results showed that there was a decrease in seizure propensity when treating the mice with melatonin and GABA agonists, however, there was an even significant decrease in seizure propensity when these two treatments were combined together. The two-way ANOVA test also revealed that treatment and seizure propensity had a significant difference that was

McMahon , et al, 2014). Another factor that can play into S.A.D. is melatonin, which helps with sleep and wake cycles. Rosenthal, et al, notes how the pineal gland, the gland that produces melatonin, will react to dark surroundings with drowsiness that can lead people to being lethargic (as cited in Melrose, 2015). When melatonin increases and serotonin decreases, the offset of the proteins can cause circadian rhythms to be disrupted, which is the bodies “24 hour” clock. Researcher Melrose writes that “…circadian rhythms respond to the rhythmic light-dark changes that occur daily and throughout each of the seasons.” (2015). People with S.A.D. disorder normally find that their circadian rhythms are off beat and timed differently with day lengths, for example feeling tired in the middle of the day while being wide awake or feeling wide awake when it would normally be time to sleep.

This hormone is produced at peak levels during night-time (1). The secretion of melatonin is a signal to tell the body that it is bedtime. Therefore, melatonin also has a nickname “the hormone of darkness.” The synthetic reaction in producing melatonin starts with tryptophan. First, tryptophan is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin which acts between nerve cells only (2). Serotonin is a precursor of melatonin. That is, the release of serotonin causes the production of melatonin in the pineal gland (2). Melatonin is then released into the bloodstream and target many other cells in the

Melatonin is a hormone which

Conversely, people with diabetes might have trouble sleeping at night. A recent study revealed taking prolonged-release melatonin can improve sleep and A1c levels for those with diabetes and insomnia. Additionally, a recent JAMA study has shown type 2 diabetes might be linked to the amount of melatonin a person secretes. Those who secrete lower amounts of melatonin into the bloodstream during sleep have a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to control other hormones and help people develop regular sleep patterns. Another recent study showed the less sleep teens get, the higher the possibility of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Taking melatonin supplements may help people to get better sleep and reduce some of the risks associated with type 2 diabetes. Talk to your doctor about it to determine if it would offer benefits to

Investigating Melatonin’s Chemical Properties and Significance in Health Introduction The purpose of this report is to analyse and discuss the chemical properties of Melatonin, an important organic molecule in the human body. This report will examine Melatonin at a molecular level as it undergoes five organic reactions; substitution, addition, hydrolysis, oxidation and decarboxylation, in addition to the enzymes that catalyze them. Furthermore, this report will dive into the importance of Melatonin in health, expanding on the benefits and risks associated with its use as a supplement. N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl] (Melatonin, n.d.), more often referred to as Melatonin, is an organic molecule that is both naturally produced in the the body and

Sleep is commonly referred to as a global state, one which engages the entire nervous system. The states of sleep and wakefulness are highly interconnected and share common physiological mechanisms; however, there are distinct differences in the neurochemical pathways that underlie them. The notion that sleep is a global state is supported by evidence that the interrelated states of sleep and wakefulness engage a multitude of neuronal pathways and components. These networks of neuronal transmitters and receptors extend throughout the brain; from the brainstem to the basal forebrain, thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebral cortex. The onset of sleep and wakefulness is known

Also regulates formation of glycogen. It is a substance that results from the metabolism of glucose in the human liver. It can boost ATP, lessen sleepiness and increase alertness and reaction time [10].

Sleep is an essential part of any person’s health, however few people seem to realize that not receiving enough sleep can double the risk of becoming obese.“The ‘epidemic’ of obesity is paralleled by a ‘silent epidemic’ of reduced sleep duration with short sleep duration linked to the increased risk of obesity both in adults and in children”(Professor Cappuio). Someone who has developed a sleeping disorder such as, sleep apnea, may not have the motivation to diet or exercise, due to daytime sleepiness. Scientists at the University of Chicago conucted a study in 1999, which restricted eleven healthy young adults to four hours of sleep for six nights. The scientist discovered that restricting individuals to this amount of sleep impaired metabolism functions and disrupted hormone levels. It was also found that the subject’s abilities to process glucose in the blood had declined, in some cases to the level of diabities. ” Not only does obesity contribute to sleep problems such as sleep apnea, but sleep problems can also contribute to obesity.”(National Sleep Foundation)

The mechanism of action of Melatonin secretion naturally begins with the amino acid tryptophan and serotonin which are sent to melatonin receptors in the brain, eye and other areas of the body and released in to the blood and CSF, crossing the blood brain barrier. The hormone controls our sleep rhythm. Melatonin has a short half-life and is metabolized in the hepatic system by the CYP-450 enzyme and excreted by the kidneys and in feces (Drugs.com, 2017). Side effects include, nightmares, daytime drowsiness, depression, anxiety, headache, blood pressure alterations, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, increased risk foe seizures and joint pain (Drugs.com, 2017). Drug interactions include, avoid concurrent use with Luvox an SSRI antidepressant. Avoid taking with other sedatives and alcohol due to additive effect. Blood glucose levels may increase with Melatonin. Avoid use with caffeine, Nifedipine and anticoagulants (Drugs.com, 2017). The patient’s dose is not disclosed in the scenario. Dosage ranges from 1mg to 10 mg and comes in tablets, capsules, lozenges, sprays, drops and gummie preparations. Melatonin can be contained in foods naturally such as, tomatoes, walnuts, grains, strawberries, wine, beer and cow’s milk (Drugs.com, 2017). There are no ethnopharmacological or pharmacogenetic issues identified for the patient.