Abstract
Melatonin is a widely-produced and ubiquitously-distributed molecule with multiple critical functions in all organs and organisms. These functions are mediated by both receptor-mediated and receptor-independent actions of the indole. This survey reviews the reports documenting the presence and function of melatonin in the hepatobiliary system. The published data document the exceptionally high concentrations of melatonin in the bile; herein, we speculate on the significance of these high melatonin levels to the function of the biliary tree. Moreover, we suggest that the elevated concentrations of melatonin in the bile fluid may be a consequence of its recirculation in what is referred to as the enterohepatic circulation. The article also examines the published reports related to melatonin levels in hepatocytes, which appear to be independent of pineal-derived melatonin. In both the biliary system and liver, melatonin provides protection against free radicals in cells of these organs. This is particularly important in these organs since they are under constant assault by highly toxic agents/processes that could compromise their critical physiology. As in other tissues, melatonin provides hepatocytes and cholangiocytes with a buffer against free radicals that are persistently produced and thereby this indole protects against oxidative molecular damage and metabolic dysfunction. Melatonin achieves this protection via the diverse free radical scavenging mechanisms of it and its metabolites (known as the antioxidant cascade), due to its ability to reduce electron leakage from the respiratory complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane (radical avoidance) and as a result of the stimulation of antioxidative enzymes.
Keywords: Melatonin, antioxidant, free radicals, enterohepatic circulation, bile, liver.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Melatonin in the Biliary Tract and Liver: Health Implications
Volume: 20 Issue: 30
Author(s): Russel J. Reiter, Sergio A. Rosales-Corral, Lucien C. Manchester, Xiaoyan Liu and Dun-Xian Tan
Affiliation:
Keywords: Melatonin, antioxidant, free radicals, enterohepatic circulation, bile, liver.
Abstract: Melatonin is a widely-produced and ubiquitously-distributed molecule with multiple critical functions in all organs and organisms. These functions are mediated by both receptor-mediated and receptor-independent actions of the indole. This survey reviews the reports documenting the presence and function of melatonin in the hepatobiliary system. The published data document the exceptionally high concentrations of melatonin in the bile; herein, we speculate on the significance of these high melatonin levels to the function of the biliary tree. Moreover, we suggest that the elevated concentrations of melatonin in the bile fluid may be a consequence of its recirculation in what is referred to as the enterohepatic circulation. The article also examines the published reports related to melatonin levels in hepatocytes, which appear to be independent of pineal-derived melatonin. In both the biliary system and liver, melatonin provides protection against free radicals in cells of these organs. This is particularly important in these organs since they are under constant assault by highly toxic agents/processes that could compromise their critical physiology. As in other tissues, melatonin provides hepatocytes and cholangiocytes with a buffer against free radicals that are persistently produced and thereby this indole protects against oxidative molecular damage and metabolic dysfunction. Melatonin achieves this protection via the diverse free radical scavenging mechanisms of it and its metabolites (known as the antioxidant cascade), due to its ability to reduce electron leakage from the respiratory complexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane (radical avoidance) and as a result of the stimulation of antioxidative enzymes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Reiter J. Russel, Rosales-Corral A. Sergio, Manchester C. Lucien, Liu Xiaoyan and Tan Dun-Xian, Melatonin in the Biliary Tract and Liver: Health Implications, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2014; 20 (30) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612819666131119105826
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612819666131119105826 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Polyethylenimine as a Promising Vector for Targeted siRNA Delivery
Current Clinical Pharmacology Editorial (Thematic Issue: Chemical and Biological Technology for In Vivo and Molecular Imaging)
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication by RNA-Based Strategies
Current HIV Research Anticancer Drug Discovery from the Marine Environment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Application of Targeted Therapy to Malignant Gliomas and Response to Treatment
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase: a Biomarker and Potential Therapeutic Target for Cancer
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: A New Paradigm for Targeting Various Diseases
Current Angiogenesis (Discontinued) Reversal of Tumor Induced Dendritic Cell Paralysis: A Treatment Regimen Against Cancer
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Progress in Drug Treatment of Cerebral Edema
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Progress on Multi-Modality Molecular Imaging
Current Medical Imaging Nanomedicine and its Application in Treatment of Microglia-mediated Neuroinflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 Axis and its Potential as a Therapeutic Target in Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Emerging Adenoviral Vectors for Stable Correction of Genetic Disorders
Current Gene Therapy Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Strategies to Enhance Radiation Action
Current Medicinal Chemistry - Anti-Cancer Agents Reduced Serotonin Transporter Levels and Inflammation in the Midbrain Raphe of 12 Month Old APP<sub>swe</sub>/PSEN<sub>1dE9</sub> Mice
Current Alzheimer Research Preclinical Development of Novel Anti-Glioma Drugs Targeting the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Role of IL-18 in the Immunopathogenesis of AIDS, HIVAssociated Lipodystrophy and Related Clinical Conditions
Current HIV Research Targeting EGFR and HER2 with 211At-Labeled Molecules: Unexpected and Expected Dose-Effect Relations in Cultured Tumor Cells
Current Radiopharmaceuticals The Role of Fibroblast Growth Factors in Tumor Growth
Current Cancer Drug Targets Dietary Manipulation of Precursor Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Modulates Eicosanoid and Endocannabinoid Synthesis: A Potential Tool to Control Tumor Development
Current Nutrition & Food Science