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Abstract Title:

Melatonin induces mechanisms of brain resilience against neurodegeneration.

Abstract Source:

J Pineal Res. 2018 Jun 15:e12515. Epub 2018 Jun 15. PMID: 29907977

Abstract Author(s):

Rubén Corpas, Christian Griñán-Ferré, Verónica Palomera-Ávalos, David Porquet, Pablo García de Frutos, Silvia M Franciscato Cozzolino, Eduard Rodríguez-Farré, Mercè Pallàs, Coral Sanfeliu, Bárbara R Cardoso

Article Affiliation:

Rubén Corpas

Abstract:

Melatonin is an endogenous pleiotropic molecule which orchestrates regulatory functions and protective capacity against age-related ailments. The increase in circulating levels of melatonin through dietary supplements intensifies its health benefits. Investigations in animal models have shown that melatonin protects against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like pathology, although clinical studies have not been conclusive. We hypothesized that melatonin induces changes in the brain that prevent or attenuate AD by increasing resilience. Therefore, we treated healthy non-transgenic (NoTg) and AD transgenic (3xTg-AD) 6-month old mice with a daily dose of 10 mg/kg of melatonin until 12 months of age. As expected, melatonin reversed cognitive impairment and dementia-associated behaviors of anxiety and apathy, and reduced amyloid and tau burden in 3xTg-AD mice. Remarkably, melatonin induced cognitive enhancement and higher wellness level-related behavior in NoTg mice. At the mechanism level, NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was decreased in both NoTg and 3xTg-AD mice. The SIRT1 pathway of longevity and neuroprotection was also activated in both mouse strains after melatonin dosing. Furthermore, we explored new mechanisms and pathways not previously associated with melatonintreatment such as the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic system and the recently proposed neuroprotective Gas6/TAM pathway. The upregulation of proteasome activity and the modulation of Gas6 and its receptors by melatonin was similarly displayed by both NoTg and 3xTg-AD mice. Therefore, these resultsconfirm the potential of melatonin treatment against AD pathology, by way of opening new pathways in its mechanisms of action, and demonstrating that melatonin induces cognitive enhancement and brain resilience against neurodegenerative processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Study Type : Animal Study

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