title: Decreased melatonin biosynthesis, calcium flux, pineal gland calcification and aging: a hypothetical framework.
abstract: Increased pineal calcifications and decreased pineal melatonin biosynthesis, both age related, support the notion of a pineal bio-organic timing mechanism. Decreased calcium ion availability is the single common denominator of diminished beta-postreceptor- and alpha-receptor-stimulating functions in beta-receptor potentiation, which is necessary for nocturnal peak melatonin production. A comprehensive framework for the interaction of aging pineal cell mechanisms, calcium flux and melatonin biosynthesis is presented.
authors.affiliation: VAMC, Providence, RI 02908.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schmid
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin; D002118:Calcium