scholarly journals Melatonin biosynthesis and metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes

1991 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
L M E Finocchiaro ◽  
V E Nahmod ◽  
J M Launay

Cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes (PBML) were able to synthesize indoleamines, including melatonin, and were also able to convert melatonin taken up from the incubation medium into N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (NAHT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). These compounds were analysed by h.p.l.c., and melatonin was additionally characterized by two-dimensional t.l.c., mass spectrometry and radioimmunoassay. Only hydroxyindoles were detected by h.p.l.c. in unstimulated PBML culture. Sustained stimulation by melatonin or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased markedly the basal production of 5-HT. IFN-gamma- or 5-HT-stimulated (but not resting) cells produced NAHT and melatonin. Furthermore, the addition of melatonin to the culture medium strongly enhanced NAHT and 5-HT production without affecting tryptophan hydroxylation, suggesting the possibility of direct or indirect transformation of melatonin into NAHT and 5-HT.

2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. K. Mao ◽  
J. van de Water ◽  
C. L. Keen ◽  
H. H. Schmitz ◽  
M. E. Gershwin

Epidemiological reports have suggested that the consumption of foods rich in flavonoids is associated with a lower incidence of certain degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Flavanols and their related oligomers, the procyanidins CFP, isolated from cocoa can modulate the production and level of several signaling molecules associated with immune function and inflammationin vitro, including several cytokines and eicosanoids. To further elucidate the potential immuno-modulatory functions of flavanol-rich cocoa, the present investigation examined whether isolated CFP fractions (monomers through decamers) influence the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from resting and phytohemagluttinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). We used anin vitroculture system where PBMC from 14 healthy subjects were introduced to individual CFP fractions for 72 h prior to measuring the levels of TNF-α released. The intermediate-sized CFP fractions (tetramers through octamers) were the most active on resting cells, causing a 3–4 fold increase in TNF-α relative to media baseline. The monomers and dimers were the least stimulatory of the fractions tested, displaying a 42 and 31% increase, respectively, over media control, whereas the trimers, nonamers and decamers showed an intermediate stimulation of this cytokine. In the presence of PHA, the intermediate-sized CFP fractions again were the most active, enhancing TNF-α secretion in the range of 48–128% relative to the PHA control. The monomers and dimers were slightly inhibitory (–1.5 and –15%, respectively), while trimers, nonamers and decamers stimulated moderate increases in TNF-α levels (13, 19 and 15%, respectively). The above results lend support to the concept that CFP can be immunomodulatory. The stimulation of TNF-α secretion may contribute to the putative beneficial effects of dietary flavanoids against microbial infection and tumorigenesis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 257-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Frackowiak ◽  
A Waszkowiak ◽  
H Manikowski ◽  
R M Ion ◽  
J Cofta ◽  
...  

The interactions of two metal-free phthalocyanines [(H2Pc) and Solar Pc (with four peripherical groups: SO2N(CH2CH2OH)2)] and of one metal substituted dye (CoPc) with resting and stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were compared. The absorption, fluorescence, photoacoustic and EPR spectra of both resting cells and cells stimulated by phytohaemagglutinin, incubated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) with very low or 95% water content and with or without dye addition, were measured. The fate of the light absorbed by the samples was investigated. It is known that singlet oxygen production is crucial for photodynamic action of dyes. Thermal deactivation and luminescence emission compete with this process, so investigation of these alternative paths of sensitizer deactivation provides information about photodynamic action. The incorporation of the investigated dyes into cells and the perturbation of the cell structure caused by the dyes, the incubation solvent and the activator were investigated by comparing the spectral properties of PBMC before and after stimulation and incubation. Incubation of the cells for 1 h in a solution of Solar Pc in 99.5% aqueous DMSO, resulted in an efficient dye incorporation which was highly selective. Solar Pc being introduced much more efficiently into stimulated cells than into resting cells.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajapandiyan Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Abdulraheem R. Adisa ◽  
Vaiyapuri Subbarayan Periasamy ◽  
Jegan Athinarayanan ◽  
Subash-Babu Pandurangan ◽  
...  

Human gut microbes are a profitable tool for the modification of food compounds into biologically active metabolites. The biological properties of catechins have been extensively investigated. However, the bioavailability of catechin in human blood plasma is very low. This study aimed to determine the biotransformed catechin metabolites and their bioactive potentials for modulating the immune response of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Biotransformation of catechin was carried out using in-vitro gut microbial biotransformation method, the transformed metabolites were identified and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). Present observations confirmed that the catechin was biotransformed into 11 metabolites upon microbial dehydroxylation and C ring cleavage. Further, immunomodulatory potential of catechin metabolites was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We found up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4, IL-10) and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory (IL-16, IL-12B) cytokine may be due to Th2 immune response. In conclusion, biotransformed catechin metabolites enhance anti-inflammatory cytokines which is beneficial for overcoming inflammatory disorders.


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