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Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Melatonin and the Skin: Current Progress and Perspectives for Human Health
Andrzej T Slominski1, Tae-Kang Kim2, Zorica Janjetovic2
1Department of Dermatology, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Cancer Chemoprevention Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
None:
Skin has the capacity to produce and metabolize melatonin into biologically active metabolites. These metabolites exert phenotypic activities through receptor-dependent and receptor-independent action, including direct antioxidant activity, interaction with regulatory proteins, and regulation of mitochondrial function. They can act on G-protein-coupled melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) as well as nuclear aryl hydrocarbon receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ receptors. These metabolic pathways, together with receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated phenotypic activities of its intermediates, has been identified as a cutaneous melatoninergic system. Its pharmacological modulation and topical application of melatonin or its metabolites can be used to prevent and treat skin disorders and cutaneous aging.
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