Pineal gland and aging

Trentini, G. P.; Gaetani, C. De; Criscuolo, Mario

doi:10.1007/bf03323987

Cited by 18 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Our pineal gland graft paradigm or the long lasting treatment of old animals with melatonin are reported to result in significant improvements of some age-related alterations of the neuroendocrine as well as immune systems (see for review Trentini et al 1991). In our opinion, the present findings cannot be explained by taking into account only these effects.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 65%

Pineal graft in old rats improves erythrocyte resistance to peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis

et al. 2004

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Pineal graft from young to old rats was performed and red blood cell hemolysis, induced by the water-soluble radical initiator 2,2'-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), was evaluated 6 months after graft. Pineal graft modified the hemolysis curve kinetic profile in grafted rats versus age-matched controls, the 50% hemolysis time as well as the lag time were longer, whereas the maximal amount of hemolysis was lower, and it occurred over a longer period of time. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production was lower in pineal-grafted rats than in controls and the age-related decrease of erythrocyte membrane fluidity was prevented by pineal graft. The present findings support an important physiological role of pineal gland in preventing age-related alterations of erythrocyte membranes and suggest a possible antioxidant action of melatonin.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 65%

Pineal graft in old rats improves erythrocyte resistance to peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis

et al. 2004

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“…The increase in longevity reported in animals on low-calorie diet may be due to the elevation of GIT melatonin observed in fooddeprived animals [70,109]. As melatonin protects the organism against hydroxyl-radicalmediated oxidative damage [5], it was hypothesized that the age-related decline of melatonin is partly responsible for the aging process [110,111]. It can be speculated that the reduction of food intake increases the production of melatonin in the GIT, which in turn elevates circulating levels of melatonin to concentrations observed normally only in much younger animals [59,70].…”

Section: Melatonin and Digestive Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localization, Physiological Significance and Possible Clinical Implication of Gastrointestinal Melatonin

2001

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The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a major source of extrapineal melatonin. In some animals, tissue concentrations of melatonin in the GIT surpass blood levels by 10–100 times and the digestive tract contributes significantly to melatonin concentrations in the peripheral blood, particularly during the day. Some melatonin found in the GIT may originate from the pineal gland, as the organs of the digestive system contain binding sites, which in some species exhibit circadian variation. Unlike the production of pineal melatonin, which is under the photoperiodic control, release of GI melatonin seems to be related to periodicity of food intake. Melatonin and melatonin binding sites were localized in all GI tissues of mammalian and avian embryos. Postnatally, melatonin was localized in the GIT of newborn mice and rats. Phylogenetically, melatonin and melatonin binding sites were detected in GIT of numerous mammals, birds and lower vertebrates. Melatonin is probably produced in the serotonin-rich enterochromaffin cells (EC) of the GI mucosa and can be released into the portal vein postprandially. In addition, melatonin can act as an autocrine or a paracrine hormone affecting the function of GI epithelium, lymphatic tissues of the immune system and the smooth muscles of the digestive tube. Finally, melatonin may act as a luminal hormone, synchronizing the sequential digestive processes. Higher peripheral and tissue levels of melatonin were observed not only after food intake but also after a long-term food deprivation. Such melatonin release may have a direct effect on the various GI tissues but may also act indirectly via the CNS; such action might be mediated by sympathetic or parasympathetic nerves. Melatonin can protect GI mucosa from ulceration by its antioxidant action, stimulation of the immune system and by fostering microcirculation and epithelial regeneration. Melatonin may reduce the secretion of pepsin and the hydrochloric acid and influence the activity of the myoelectric complexes of the gut via its action in the CNS. Tissue or blood levels of melatonin may serve as a marker of GI lesions or tumors. Clinically, melatonin has a potential for a prevention or treatment of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, children colic and diarrhea.

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“…In addition, AC pulsed applications of picotesla flux density EMFs is beneficial in the treatment of sleep, mood, behavioral, and cognitive disorders in normal elderly individuals and it is believed that intermittent brief applications of these fields may also influence the aging process, which has been linked to progressive pineal failure (Sack et al, 1986;Rozenchwaig et al, 1987;Kloeden et al, 1990;Sandyk, 1990;Pierpaoh 1991;Trentini et al, 1991;Grad and Rosencwaig, 1993). Presently this method remains experimental and Hmited to a relatively small cohort of patients.…”

Section: Edss Baselinementioning

confidence: 97%

“…The tion of EMFs has been associated with in-sensitivity of biological systems to extremely creased neuronal excitability, improved axonal weak signals is further illustrated by the conductivity, and also with optic nerve, spinal amount of circulating nighttime plasma melacord, and peripheral nerve regeneration (Bor-tonin, which averages 50 to 80 pg/mL (Arendt gens et al, 1981;Rosen and Lubowsky, 1987;Waldhauser et al, 1984), a concen-372 SANDYK tration in the order of a billionth of a gram per milliliter. These extremely low, almost "homeopathic" levels of circulating melatonin are sufficient to achieve the appropriate physiological response including the initiation of the complex cascade of the aging process (Nair et al, 1986;PierpaoU and Maestroni, 1987;Trentini et al, 1991;Reiter, 1994).…”

Section: Treatment With Emfs As a Novel Therapeutic Modality In Multimentioning

confidence: 97%

II. Therapeutic Effects of Alternating Current Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Multiple Sclerosis

Sandyk

1997

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

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Multiple sclerosis is the third most common cause of severe disability in patients between the ages of 15 and 50 years. The cause of the disease and its pathogenesis remain unknown. The last 20 years have seen only meager advances in the development of effective treatments for the disease. No specific treatment modality can cure the disease or alter its long-term course and eventual outcome. Moreover, there are no agents or treatments that will restore premorbid neuronal function. A host of biological phenomena associated with the disease involving interactions among genetic, environmental, immunologic, and hormonal factors, cannot be explained on the basis of demyelination alone and therefore require refocusing attention on alternative explanations, one of which implicates the pineal gland as pivotal. The pineal gland functions as a magnetoreceptor organ. This biological property of the gland provided the impetus for the development of a novel and highly effective therapeutic modality, which involves transcranial applications of alternating current (AC) pulsed electromagnetic fields in the picotesla flux density. This review summarizes recent clinical work on the effects of transcranially applied pulsed electromagnetic fields for the symptomatic treatment of the disease.

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Pineal gland and aging

Cited by 18 publications

References 81 publications

Pineal graft in old rats improves erythrocyte resistance to peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis

Pineal graft in old rats improves erythrocyte resistance to peroxyl radical-induced hemolysis

Localization, Physiological Significance and Possible Clinical Implication of Gastrointestinal Melatonin

II. Therapeutic Effects of Alternating Current Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Multiple Sclerosis

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