Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
Published on: January 25, 2016
Melatonin improves 3-nitropropionic acid induced behavioral alterations and neurotrophic factors levels
Inmaculada Tasset1, Eduardo Agüera, Rosa Olmo-Camacho
1Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC)/Universidad de Córdoba, Spain.
Objective:
This study sought to determine whether melatonin causes changes in neurotrophic factors and it protects against the mycotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) in brain tissue.
Methods:
Rats were given 3-NP over four consecutive days (20 mg/kg BW), while melatonin was administered over 21 days (1 mg/kg/BW), starting after the last injection of 3-NP.
Results:
Rats treated with 3-NP displayed significant changes in neurotrophic factor (BDNF and GDNF) levels, together with alterations in behavior; they also displayed extensive oxidative stress and a massive neuronal damage.
Conclusions:
Melatonin improved behavioral alterations, reduced oxidative damage, lowered neurotrophic factor levels and neuronal loss in 3-NP-treated rats. These results suggest that melatonin exerts a neuroprotective action.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Management of Insomnia
01:17Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...