Melatonin for sleep? – Examining the effect of melatonin on inflammation, neurodevelopment, and oxidative stress
Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
14-5-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
14-5-2019 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction Melatonin is an indoleamine that is a potent anti-oxidant and regulator of biological rhythm. It also regulates the immune response and has anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies show that trophoblast cells of placenta express enzymes to synthesize melatonin and its receptors. But little is known about how melatonin influences placental function. The placenta functions to prevent the maternal immune system from reacting against the fetus. How does melatonin effect the fetal protective function of the placenta in the presence of an infection which ramps up the maternal immune system? To explore this question, we examined the effects of melatonin on basal and bacteria cytokine production by the placenta.
Methods Placental explant cultures were prepared from 12 term births treated with 0 mM to 50 mM melatonin in the presence and absence of 107 CFU heat-killed E. coli. Cultures were incubated and concentrations of cytokines associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes were quantified in the conditioned medium. Melatonin concentrations were also quantified for control and E. coli-stimulated cultures.
Results For unstimulated cultures, melatonin tended to reduce IL-1b but enhanced HO-1 and IL-6 production. Sgp130 and IL-10 production were unaffected but BDNF production was reduced by melatonin for placental explant cultures. For bacteria-stimulated cultures, melatonin significantly inhibited IL-1b but enhanced IL-10, IL-6 and HO-1 production. BDNF production by bacteria-treated cultures tended to be inhibited by melatonin at low concentrations and stimulated at high concentrations. Placental concentrations of melatonin in conditioned medium were approximately 250 ng/ml and were not affected by E. coli treatment.
Conclusions Our results suggest that melatonin is produced in relatively high concentrations by the placenta. Melatonin has potent anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of inflammatory IL-1b cytokine and promotion of anti-inflammatory IL-10 production. Enhancement of HO-1 production may also enhance anti-oxidant activity of the placenta. Further studies are needed to determine how placental melatonin production is regulated and may affect pregnancy complications.
Embargo Period
1-28-2020
Melatonin for sleep? – Examining the effect of melatonin on inflammation, neurodevelopment, and oxidative stress
Suwanee, GA
Introduction Melatonin is an indoleamine that is a potent anti-oxidant and regulator of biological rhythm. It also regulates the immune response and has anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies show that trophoblast cells of placenta express enzymes to synthesize melatonin and its receptors. But little is known about how melatonin influences placental function. The placenta functions to prevent the maternal immune system from reacting against the fetus. How does melatonin effect the fetal protective function of the placenta in the presence of an infection which ramps up the maternal immune system? To explore this question, we examined the effects of melatonin on basal and bacteria cytokine production by the placenta.
Methods Placental explant cultures were prepared from 12 term births treated with 0 mM to 50 mM melatonin in the presence and absence of 107 CFU heat-killed E. coli. Cultures were incubated and concentrations of cytokines associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes were quantified in the conditioned medium. Melatonin concentrations were also quantified for control and E. coli-stimulated cultures.
Results For unstimulated cultures, melatonin tended to reduce IL-1b but enhanced HO-1 and IL-6 production. Sgp130 and IL-10 production were unaffected but BDNF production was reduced by melatonin for placental explant cultures. For bacteria-stimulated cultures, melatonin significantly inhibited IL-1b but enhanced IL-10, IL-6 and HO-1 production. BDNF production by bacteria-treated cultures tended to be inhibited by melatonin at low concentrations and stimulated at high concentrations. Placental concentrations of melatonin in conditioned medium were approximately 250 ng/ml and were not affected by E. coli treatment.
Conclusions Our results suggest that melatonin is produced in relatively high concentrations by the placenta. Melatonin has potent anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of inflammatory IL-1b cytokine and promotion of anti-inflammatory IL-10 production. Enhancement of HO-1 production may also enhance anti-oxidant activity of the placenta. Further studies are needed to determine how placental melatonin production is regulated and may affect pregnancy complications.