6533b82bfe1ef96bd128ce9b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Neuropeptide Y effects on pineal melatonin synthesis in the rat

Hannsjörg SchröderStefan Reuss

subject

Acetylserotonin O-MethyltransferaseMaleendocrine systemmedicine.medical_specialtyNeuroeffectorArylamine N-AcetyltransferaseBiologyPineal GlandMelatoninNorepinephrinePineal glandNorepinephrineInternal medicinemental disordersmedicineAnimalsNeuropeptide YMelatoninArylamine N-acetyltransferaseGeneral NeuroscienceRats Inbred StrainsNeuropeptide Y receptorhumanitiesRatsReceptors AdrenergicEndocrinologymedicine.anatomical_structureAcetylserotonin O-methyltransferaseSerotoninmedicine.drug

description

Neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity is present in the rodent pineal gland. To elucidate possible effects on pineal melatonin synthesis NPY (5 nmol/kg body wt.) was injected into the common carotid artery of male rats. Activities of the melatonin biosynthetic enzymes, serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) were determined by means of radioenzymatic methods. Intact light-exposed animal showed increased NAT activity at day- and at nighttime. Blinded animals showed a more than 10-fold reduction of NAT activity after nocturnal NPY injections. HIOMT activity was only slightly influenced at either time. These results are discussed in terms of the possible actions of NPY at the pineal sympathetic neuroeffector sites.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
1987-02-24Neuroscience Letters
https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3940(87)90142-x