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Pineal Gland Abstracts: 1969 - 1989
Note: the following is a limited selection of abstracts available at PubMed, Science Direct, and Toxnet.
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J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol 1989 Jul;21(3):571-8
Histochemical and ultrastructural study of the human pineal gland in the course of aging.
Galliani I, Frank F, Gobbi P, Giangaspero F, Falcieri E.
Istituto di Anatomia Umana Normale, Universita di Bologna, Italia.
A histochemical and ultrastructural study was carried out on the pineal gland of 2 day- to 86-year-old subjects. Specimens were obtained by stereotaxis in the course of neurosurgery; other specimens were autoptical pineal fragments. Histochemical and ultrastructural analyses showed lipofuscin pigments, frequently localized in the proximity of blood capillaries and of cytoplasmic microacervuli. The brain sand amount does not appear to be age-related because microacervuli are barely present or frequently absent in the oldest subjects. Its involvement in the secretory activity rather than in gland atrophy is also suggested. The close relationship between cytoplasmic microacervuli and intermediate filaments suggests a possible role of the cytoskeleton in the formation of the brain sand.
PMID: 2790735 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3197760&dopt=AbstractExp Eye Res 1988 Jun;46(6):909-18
A novel photopigment candidate in membranes of cultured chick pineal cells.
Wallingford JC, Zatz M.
Section on Biochemical Pharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
The photopigment of avian pineal which mediates light sensitivity was sought via its chromophore. Chick pineal cells in primary cultures were incubated overnight in the dark with [3H]retinol. Reduction of Schiff's bases with cyanoborohydride prior to SDS-PAGE revealed radioactivity bound to a 30 kDa component in pinealocyte membranes. All-trans-retinal, but not retinol or retinoic acid, incubated with pinealocyte homogenates prior to reduction, resulted in a loss of radioactivity from the 30 kDa region of the gel. The radioactivity was also displaced by NH2OH in the dark. Incubation of cultured cells or homogenates with retinoyl fluoride, an acylating agent specific for the retinal binding site of opsins, also displaced radioactivity from the protein. Furthermore, retinoyl fluoride, added to chick pineal cells in culture, blocked the suppressive effect of light on melatonin output by these cells. Taken together these results raise the possibility that the 30 kDa protein mediates photosensitivity in the chick pineal.
PMID: 3197760 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3270504&dopt=AbstractAust J Biol Sci 1988;41(3):393-400
Structure-activity studies of melatonin analogues in prepubertal male rats.
Kennaway DJ, Hugel HM, Clarke S, Tjandra A, Johnson DW, Royles P, Webb HA, Carbone F.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, S.A.
Comparison has been made between the activity of the pineal hormone melatonin, and several analogues and metabolites in inhibiting sexual development in a protein-restricted prepubertal rat model. Eleven melatonin analogues or metabolites were tested with the aim of evaluating the model as a test of the hypothesis that melatonin acts as a prohormone and that the ring schism metabolites (kynurenamines) mediate many of the effects attributable to melatonin. Although the hypothesis could not be confirmed, modification of the melatonin structure by lengthening the acrylamide side chain or by replacing the 5 methoxy function with fluorine resulted in loss of biological potency. Modification of the melatonin structure to block the two known points of metabolism resulted in no significant alteration in biological activity. Thus 6-chloromelatonin (blocking 6-hydroxylation) and 2,3-dihydromelatonin (blocking oxidative cleavage of the C2-C3 bond) and 6-chloro-2,3-dihydromelatonin remained biologically active. The metabolic products of brain indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase, N-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxy kynurenamine (aFoMK) and N-acetyl-5-methoxy kynurenamine (aMK), paradoxically were also biologically active.
PMID: 3270504 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3018146&dopt=AbstractJ Neural Transm Suppl 1986;21:415-32
Pineal calcification: its mechanism and significance.
Krstic R.
On the basis of conventional transmission electron microscopy and ultracytochemical reactions for demonstration of calcium, for glucose-6-phosphatase, and for Ca2+-ATPase, intracellular and extracellular mineralization foci in the superficial pineal gland of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) have been described. The initial intracellular calcification sites occur in the cytoplasmic matrix, vacuoles, mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum of large clear pinealocytes. These loci, and particularly those within the cytoplasmic matrix, transform into acervuli by a further addition of hydroxyapatite crystals. The cells gradually degenerate, die, break down, and the acervuli reach the extracellular space. It has been suggested that the reason for a rise in intracellular calcium levels could be the incapacity of Ca2+-ATPase to eliminate this cation from the cell, so that the hypercalcemic intracellular milieu becomes favourable for the initial crystallization. The primary extracellular mineralization sites occur in the calcium-rich flocculent material. The mineralization process in the gerbil pineal gland is interpreted as a histophysiological phenomenon intimately related to the metabolic activity of the pineal gland.
PMID: 3018146 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3736772&dopt=AbstractNeuropathol Appl Neurobiol 1986 May-Jun;12(3):235-50
Calcification in the human choroid plexus, meningiomas and pineal gland.
Alcolado JC, Moore IE, Weller RO.
Calcification in the stroma of adult telencephalic choroid plexus was studied of 20 postmortem brains and one biopsy by light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy and compared with calcification in psammoma bodies in normal arachnoid, five spinal meningiomas and in calcospherites of six pineal glands. Fifteen fetal and newborn choroid plexuses were also examined by light microscopy. Calcium deposition was observed in the subepithelial regions of the adult choroid plexus, in the walls of blood vessels but was mostly seen in spherical psammoma bodies. Collagen whorls 20-60 microns in diameter and surrounded by arachnoid cells, were observed in the stroma of the choroid plexus; calcium, phosphorous and iron were deposited in the collagen whorls to form psammoma bodies. Matrix vesicles and spicules resembling hydroxyapatite were associated with the arachnoid cells surrounding the collagen whorls and with the collagen fibres within the whorls. The dense amorphous calcified core of each psammoma body was surrounded by an outer coating of entwined collagen fibres readily visible by scanning electron microscopy. Similar psammoma bodies were occasionally observed in normal arachnoid. Psammoma bodies in meningiomas resembled those in the choroid plexus stroma. Calcospherites in the pineal differed from psammoma bodies; they were lobulated, more irregular in shape and did not have a collagen base. The results of this study suggest that psammoma bodies in the choroid plexus, as in meningiomas, form by a process of dystrophic calcification associated with arachnoid cells and collagen fibres. The presence of iron in the choroid plexus psammoma bodies may be a result of haemorrhage into the stroma. The mechanism of calcification in pineal remains unclear.
PMID: 3736772 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.cancer.gov/cancer_information/doc_cit.aspx?args=1;856077351984 Raven Press, 382 p., UI: 85607735
COMPREHENSIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY: THE PINEAL GLAND
Type: MONOGRAPH
Reiter RJ
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, The University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Abstract: The pineal gland is discussed under the following headings: regulation of the synthesis of melatonin and its significance to neuroendocrinology; pineal peptides: an overview; neural-hormonal integrative mechanisms in the pineal gland and superior cervical ganglia; physiology of the pineal and its hormone melatonin in annual reproduction of rodents; melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: evidence from rodents and ruminants; pineal bodies and thermoregulation; the pineal and circadian rhythms; the pineal: an oncostatic gland?; functional anatomy of the human pineal gland; pineal tumors and their treatment; and melatonin in human body fluids: clinical significance. The pineal, or epiphysis cerebri, is clearly recognized as a functionally important organ of internal secretion not only in experimental animals but in the human as well. Its primary action, in most cases, appears to be to govern or to restrict the production and/or secretion of hormones from other endocrine glands; it seems to function as a regulator of regulators. The pineal serves as an intermediary between the environment, especially the photoperiod, and the endocrine system. Biochemical aspects of the pineal gland are discussed; in particular, indoleamine and polypeptide biochemistry and the integrative processes by which their production is regulated. The physiology of the pineal gland is considered in relation to a gamut of endocrine and associated phenomena. The role of the pineal gland in seasonal reproductive events, thermoregulation, and tumorigenesis is emphasized; pineal function in the context of circadian rhythm biology is considered. Morphology, pathology, and physiology of the pineal gland and its secretory products in the human are discussed. Mesh Terms: Animal Human Pineal Body*
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6150711&dopt=AbstractBiochem Pharmacol 1984 Dec 15;33(24):3947-50
Alpha-adrenergic potentiation of beta-adrenergic stimulation of rat pineal N-acetyltransferase. Studies using cirazoline and fluorine analogs of norepinephrine.
Sugden D, Weller JL, Klein DC, Kirk KL, Creveling CR.
Recent evidence indicates that melatonin production is controlled by norepinephrine acting via alpha 1-and beta 1-adrenoceptors on pinealocytes; activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors appears to potentiate the effects of beta 1-adrenoceptor activation. However, alpha-adrenergic potentiation of beta 1-adrenergic activation has been demonstrated with only one alpha-adrenergic agonist. For this reason, this issue was reinvestigated using two other alpha-adrenergic agonists, 6-fluoronorepinephrine and cirazoline. Both compounds, which were found to have a high affinity for pineal alpha 1-adrenoceptors, potentiated the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol on pineal N-acetyltransferase. 6-Fluoronorepinephrine also potentiated the stimulation of N-acetyltransferase activity produced by another beta-adrenergic agonist, 2-fluoronorepinephrine. These findings support the hypothesis that pineal N-acetyltransferase activity is regulated by norepinephrine acting through both alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenoceptors.
PMID: 6150711 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6308700&dopt=AbstractPsychoneuroendocrinology 1983;8(1):75-80
The relationship between the pineal gland and the pituitary--adrenal axis in health, endocrine and psychiatric conditions.
Wetterberg L.
Evidence is reviewed in favour of a close relationship between the pineal hormone, melatonin and ACTH--cortisol in man. Subgroups of patients with Cushing's disease as well as with major depressive disorder have low levels of nocturnal serum melatonin. Depressed patients with an abnormal dexamethasone suppression test (DST) have lower melatonin levels than do patients with a normal DST. Low melatonin levels may be a genetic trait marker for vulnerability to depression. The mechanism may be related to increased corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), secondary to hypofunction of a pineal factor which physiologically inhibits CRF.
Publication Types:
- Review
PMID: 6308700 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6266425&dopt=AbstractBiochem Pharmacol 1981 May 15;30(10):1085-9
No Abstract Available
Effects on fluorine analogs of norepinephrine on stimulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and binding to beta-adrenergic receptors in intact pinealocytes.
Auerbach DA, Klein DC, Kirk KL, Cantacuzene D, Creveling CR.
PMID: 6266425 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6249471&dopt=AbstractCalcif Tissue Int 1980;30(3):179-82
Crystallinity of human pineal calcospherulites.
Ostrowski K, Dziedzic-Goclawska A, Michalik J, Stachowicz W, Mazur S.
Crystallinity of mineral in human pineal calcospherulites was determined by electron spin resonance spectrometry after irradiation of the samples with gamma rays in a 60Co-source. The radiation-induced stable paramagnetic centers in the crystalline lattice of hydroxyapatite crystals were used as a marker of the crystalline fraction and related to the total mineral content. The crystallinity of pineal sand is higher than that of compact bone. The numerical value of the crystallinity coefficient depends on both the average crystal size of hydroxyapatite and the percentage of the crystalline fraction in the total amount of mineral. Literature data show that the average size of hydroxyapatite crystals in pineal sand are smaller than in bone tissue. It is, therefore, concluded that the higher crystallinity of pineal acervuli is due to the lower percentage of the submicrocrystalline fraction in their mineral.
PMID: 6249471 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=262724&dopt=AbstractNo Abstract available
God Zb Med Fak Skopje 1979 Jan;25:145-50
[The presence of acervuli in the pineal gland of prematurely born and full-term newborn (author's transl)]
[Article in Macedonian]
Danailova-Koceva V, Urumova E, Petrusevska M.
PMID: 262724 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=219150&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
J Neurochem 1979 Apr;32(4):1315-21
Low concentrations of lithium inhibit the synthesis of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in the rat pineal gland.
Zatz M.
PMID: 219150 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12335457&dopt=AbstractDrug Res Rep 1978 November 15;21(46):RN-5
Contraceptive research projects were awarded $1.5 mil. by Ford Foundation.
The Population Council received a $700,000 grant for a contraceptive leads program carried out by the International Committee for Contraceptive Research. The program, a multicountry effort, will test the effectiveness of an under-the-skin contraceptive implant, a vaginal contraceptive ring, an antipregnancy vaccine, and other products. The Program for the Introduction and Adaptation of Contraceptive Technology received $262,000 to modify contraceptive devices to fit the needs of different cultures around the world. 10 universities and research labs in 6 countries received $544,932 for basic research and training in reproductive biology. The University of California received $21,500 to study endocrine-immunological relationships during pregnancy; The University of Dublin received $95,000 to study implantation; the Institute of Biology and Experimental Medicine (Argentina) received $48,000 for research on sperm maturation; Mahidol University (Thailand) received $78,430 for research on the structure of nuclear proteins in mammalian sperm; the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal received $31,000 to study testicular factors affecting hormonal secretion; and the University of Rochester received $34,000 to study the pineal gland and reproduction. The University of Texas received 2 grants totaling $151,000 for research and training in reproductive biology; The University of Toronto received $56,000 for research on male and female reproductive tissues, and the Zoological Society of London received $30,000 to study epididymal protein secretions in the rabbit. The Ford Foundation has committed more than $225 million over the past 25 years to programs aimed at limiting fertility. full text
PMID: 12335457 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=224142&dopt=AbstractJ Neural Transm Suppl 1978;(13):97-114
Sensitivity and cyclic nucleotides in the rat pineal gland.
Zatz M.
beta-Adrenergic stimulation induces serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) activity in the rat pineal gland. The magnitude and some of the characteristics of this response vary as a function of the gland's previous exposure to stimulation. A period of stimulation results in a subsensitive response to subsequent stimulation. A period without stimulation provides a supersensitive response to subsequent stimulation. Investigations concerned with the mechanisms regulating the rat pineal's sensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation are described. These have focused on the regulation of cyclic AMP metabolism. Several of the components involved in the induction of SNAT activity appear to participate in the regulation of sensitivity. These include the beta-adrenergic binding sites, the catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, and the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Thus, the rat pineal's sensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation appears to be regulated at multiple sites. Other investigations have focused on the regulation of pineal cyclic GMP metabolism. Unlike cyclic AMP, the stimulation of cyclic GMP synthesis requires the presence of intact nerve endings and of extracellular calcium. Some of the characteristics of pineal cyclic GMP regulation are described.
Publication Types: ReviewPMID: 224142 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=652129&dopt=AbstractNeuroendocrinology 1978;25(5):257-74
Angiotensin II immunohistochemistry of the rat brain.
Changaris DG, Keil LC, Severs WB.
Immunoreactive angiotensin II (AII) in rat brain is identified histochemically by the unlabelled antibody-enzyme method. Addition of protease inhibitors, phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), to subzero (-10 degrees C) fixation with propylene glycol and formaldehyde provides reproducible preservation of immunoreactive AII. Synaptic boutons within the brainstem and cerebellum contain immunoreactive AII. The deep cerebellar nuclei have the richest density of AII positive synapses. Other nonneuronal cells such as pinealocytes, pituicytes, and 3rd ventricular tanycytes contain immunoreactive AII. This dual AII localization suggests that both neurons and blood vessels may be involved in the transport of AII to sensitive sites within the rat brain.
PMID: 652129 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=194016&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
J Neurochem 1977 May;28(5):1075-80
Phosphoprotein phosphatase of pineal gland: some properties of the enzyme and the identification of an endogenous activator.
Yang HY, Costa E, Majane EA, Hong J.
PMID: 194016 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=200812&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
Life Sci 1977 Nov 1;21(9):1267-76
Effects of cholera toxin on supersensitive and subsensitive rat pineal glands: regulation of sensitivity at multiple sites.
Zatz M.
PMID: 200812 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=991257&dopt=AbstractCell Tissue Res 1976 Oct 22;174(1):129-37
A combined scanning and transmission electron microscopic study and electron probe microanalysis of human pineal acervuli.
Krstic R.
Untreated, decalcified and trypsinized acervuli from human pineal bodies were studied with the scanning and transmission electron microscope as well as by electron probe microanalysis. The mulberry-like acervuli are composed of a various number of spherical lobes (135-800 mum) between which clustered groups of globuli (4--14 mum in diameter) are observed. The acervular lobes are very probably formed by an aggregation of these globuli. Small round particles 125--500 A in diameter are observed on the surface of the pineal concretions. These are not influenced by either decalcification or trypsin treatment. The acervular mineral corresponds morphologically to hydroxyapatite. The electron probe microanalysis reveals the existence of calcium and phosphorus as main components of the acervuli. Small quantities of magnesium and strontium were also detected.
PMID: 991257 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=5559254&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
J Neurochem 1971 Mar;18(3):469-77
Ontogenetic development of adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase in rat brain.
Weiss B.
PMID: 5559254 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=5090890&dopt=AbstractJ Comp Pathol 1971 Jan;81(1):89-95
Structure and histochemistry of corpora amylacea in the brain of an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus).
Quay WB.
PMID: 5090890 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4331457&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
Adv Biochem Psychopharmacol 1970;3:217-39
Neural and hormonal regulation of pineal adenyl cyclase activity.
Weiss B, Crayton JW.
Publication Types: ReviewPMID: 4331457 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=5354616&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
Probl Endokrinol (Mosk) 1969 Sep-Oct;15(5):50-4
[Histophysiology of the colloid and brain sand of the pineal body (histochemical studies)]
[Article in Russian]
Khelimskii AM.
PMID: 5354616 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4237962&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1969 Apr;166(2):330-8
Similarities and differences in the norepinephrine-and sodium fluoride-sensitive adenyl cyclase system.
Weiss B.
PMID: 4237962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4307317&dopt=AbstractNo abstract available
J Pharmacol Exp Ther 1969 Jul;168(1):146-52
Effects of environmental lighting and chronic denervation on the activation of adenyl cyclase of rat pineal gland by norepinephrine and sodium fluoride.
Weiss B.
PMID: 4307317 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]