title: Influence of psoralen on melatonin formation in rat pineal gland in organ culture.
abstract: 8-Methoxypsoralen (10(-4) M) added to the medium of rat pineal glands in organ culture induces a five-fold increase of 14C-labelled N-acetylserotonin and melatonin formation when serotonin is used as 14C-labelled precursor. Addition of d-amphetamine (10(-5) M) to pineal glands also results in an increase of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin formation. This increase is enhanced by the addition of 8-methoxypsoralen (10(-5) M). In pineal glands pre-incubated for 24 h 8-methoxypsoralen (10(-4) M) caused an increased production of N-acetylserotonin and melatonin. This indicates that the effect of 8-methoxypsoralen is mediated through a postsynaptic event and not by release of noradrenaline or blocked re-uptake of amines to nerve terminals in the pineal gland. Further studies of the clinical significance of the effect of psoralen on pineal gland metabolism seems warranted.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003374:Coumarins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005363:Ficusin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011564:Furocoumarins; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D012701:Serotonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
chemical_list: D003374:Coumarins; D003470:Culture Media; D011564:Furocoumarins; D012701:Serotonin; D008550:Melatonin; D005363:Ficusin; D003913:Dextroamphetamine