6533b871fe1ef96bd12d2674
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Stimulation of Serotonin-N-Acetyltransferase Activity in the Pineal Gland of the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) by Intracerebroventricular Injection of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide
Morten MøllerJörg H. StehleHannsjörg Schrödersubject
Maleendocrine systemmedicine.medical_specialtyArylamine N-AcetyltransferaseVasoactive intestinal peptideNeuropeptideStimulationBiologyPeptide hormoneGerbilPineal GlandMelatoninPineal glandEndocrinologyAcetyltransferasesIn vivoInternal medicinemedicineAnimalsHumansInjections IntraventricularStimulation Chemicalmedicine.anatomical_structureEndocrinologyFemaleGerbillinaehormones hormone substitutes and hormone antagonistsVasoactive Intestinal Peptidemedicine.drugdescription
There is ever-increasing evidence that intrapineal peptides have an important role in the modulation of pineal melatonin synthesis. In the pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), we have previously shown the presence of VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibers as well as pinealocytic VIP receptors. To assess the functional significance of these findings, 10 microliters of a 1 microM or 1 nM solution of VIP were injected into the lateral ventricle of gerbils over a period of 10 min. Animals were killed 1.5 hr after injection, and the superficial pineal glands were excised and assayed for N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity. Injection of the 1 microM VIP solution stimulated the NAT activity to values four times the control values. The results are compatible with an in vivo influence on the pineal gland indole metabolism of the nonsympathetic VIP-containing nerve fibers via VIP-receptors present in the gland.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-10-01 | Journal of Pineal Research |