Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
07:17
An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
12.5K
Melatonin and pancreatic cancer: Current knowledge and future perspectives
Omid Reza Tamtaji1, Naghmeh Mirhosseini2, Russel J Reiter3
1Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran.
Journal of Cellular Physiology
|September 20, 2018
Summary
Melatonin, a natural antioxidant, shows promise as a therapeutic agent for pancreatic cancer by inducing apoptosis and protecting tissues. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer exhibits high mortality due to late diagnosis and resistance to conventional therapies.
- Inflammatory pathways play a significant role in pancreatic cancer development and progression.
- Melatonin, an indoleamine, possesses antioxidant and tissue-protective properties and acts through receptor-dependent and independent mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of melatonin's effects on pancreatic cancer.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin's action in pancreatic cancer.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of melatonin supplementation for pancreatic cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of in vivo and in vitro studies on melatonin and pancreatic cancer.
- Analysis of molecular pathways regulated by melatonin, including oxidative stress, heat shock proteins, and vascular endothelial growth factor.
- Evaluation of existing clinical data on melatonin's role in pancreatic cancer.
Main Results:
- Melatonin demonstrates potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, crucial for tissue protection.
- In vitro and in vivo studies suggest melatonin can induce apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells.
- Melatonin influences multiple molecular pathways implicated in cancer progression and survival.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin supplementation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.
- Further clinical investigation is warranted to establish melatonin's efficacy and safety in human pancreatic cancer patients.
- Understanding melatonin's mechanisms of action can guide novel treatment approaches for pancreatic cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Psychodynamic Perspectives on Personality
1.6K
The psychodynamic perspective in psychology asserts that most personality functions operate unconsciously, outside of awareness. This means that the motives and emotions driving behavior often remain hidden, automatically buried in the unconscious mind as a defense mechanism to shield us from psychological distress. According to this theory, the unconscious mind contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are too disturbing to face directly.
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
Psychodynamic theorists argue that unconscious...
1.6K
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
375
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
375
01:19The Behavioral Perspective on Personality
830
Behaviorists view personality as primarily shaped by environmental reinforcements and consequences. According to this perspective, behavior is influenced by external stimuli, and individuals adjust their actions based on rewards and punishments. Over time, learning histories — accumulated patterns of reinforcement — play a significant role in shaping personality. Behaviors that lead to positive outcomes are reinforced, while those resulting in negative outcomes are diminished.
830
01:30Social Cognitive Perspective on Personality
1.0K
Social cognitive perspectives on personality emphasize the importance of conscious awareness, beliefs, expectations, and goals in shaping behavior. These perspectives incorporate behaviorist principles, such as learning through reinforcement and conditioning, but extend beyond them by highlighting human reasoning and planning. Unlike traditional behaviorist views, social cognitive theory focuses on how individuals reflect on their past experiences and plan for future outcomes by considering...
1.0K
01:14Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
3.6K
The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
3.6K
01:10Electrical Current
7.2K
Electrical current is defined as the rate at which charge flows. When there is a large current present, such as that used to run a refrigerator, a large amount of charge moves through the wire in a small amount of time. If the current is small, such as that used to operate a handheld calculator, a small amount of charge moves through the circuit over a long period of time. The SI unit for current is the ampere (A), named for the French physicist André-Marie Ampère (1775–1836).
7.2K