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Effects of melatonin on the process of apoptosis in rat thyroid follicular cells
Adam Gesing1, Joanna Jagiela, Andrzej Lewinski
1Department of Oncological Endocrinology, Chair of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
Objectives:
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a normal component in the development of multicellular organisms and is essential for many physiological processes. Apoptosis is a process in which cells play an active role in their own death (apoptosis is often referred to as "cell suicide"). Disturbances of apoptosis regulation can result in many diseases. Certain substances (for example--aflatoxin B1; AFB1) can induce apoptosis in various organs and tissues. Melatonin (Mel) is a hormone (indoleamine) which has antioxidant, antiproliferative and, potentially, anticancerogenic activities. The aim of our study was to examine the influence of late-afternoon (1600-1800) intraperitoneal (i.p.) Mel injections, administered for 3 weeks, on the process of apoptosis in male Wistar rat thyroid follicular cells (TFC); Mel was injected alone or together with AFB1 (i.p., also once daily for 3 weeks).
Methods:
In order to assess the process of apoptosis, evaluated in microscopic preparations of rat thyroids, an In Situ Cell Death Detection, POD Kit [Roche, GER] and the DAKO Liquid DAB Substrate-Chromogen System [DakoCytomation, USA] were employed.
Results:
Aflatoxin B1 increased the apoptotic index (I(apopt)) in rat TFC, in comparison to controls (p<0.001). The I(apopt) value in the rats, receiving Mel and AFB1 injections, was statistically lower, as compared to the value of the examined index in the group of AFB1-treated animals (p<0.001). No statistically significant differences of I(apopt) value were observed between the Mel-treated group of animals and the controls.
Conclusion:
Melatonin can assumingly regulate the growth of cells and tissues by influencing the process of apoptosis.
Insights
Melatonin (Mel) administration reduced aflatoxin B1-induced apoptosis in rat thyroid cells. Melatonin alone did not affect the apoptotic index, suggesting a protective role against toxicant-induced cell death.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Endocrinology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is crucial for development and homeostasis.
- Dysregulation of apoptosis is implicated in various diseases.
- Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a known inducer of apoptosis, while melatonin (Mel) possesses antioxidant and potential anticancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of late-afternoon intraperitoneal melatonin injections on apoptosis in male Wistar rat thyroid follicular cells (TFC).
- To determine if melatonin influences AFB1-induced apoptosis in rat TFC.
- To evaluate the impact of melatonin, alone or in combination with AFB1, on the apoptotic index.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were administered intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (Mel) alone or in combination with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) daily for 3 weeks.
- Apoptosis in thyroid follicular cells (TFC) was assessed using the In Situ Cell Death Detection, POD Kit and the DAKO Liquid DAB Substrate-Chromogen System.
- The apoptotic index (I(apopt)) was quantified and compared between experimental groups and controls.
Main Results:
- Aflatoxin B1 significantly increased the apoptotic index in rat TFC compared to controls (p<0.001).
- Co-administration of melatonin with AFB1 resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the apoptotic index compared to AFB1 treatment alone (p<0.001).
- Melatonin treatment alone did not cause significant changes in the apoptotic index compared to control animals.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin may play a regulatory role in cell and tissue growth by modulating the process of apoptosis.
- Melatonin exhibits a protective effect against AFB1-induced apoptosis in rat thyroid follicular cells.
- These findings suggest melatonin's potential in mitigating toxicant-induced cellular damage via apoptosis regulation.
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