Melatonin increases nerve growth factor in mouse submandibular gland.
The effect of melatonin administration on nerve growth factor (NGF) was studied in the submandibular glands of adult Swiss male mice. Melatonin injection, at 1 microg daily for 30 days, resulted in an increase in the NGF content as detected by immunohistochemistry. The submandibular gland weight and the area of the granular convoluted tubules, which contained NGF, were also increased significantly. These effects were not observed when the dose of melatonin was increased to 10 and 50 microg daily. None of the melatonin treatments used influenced the weights or histology of the testes or seminal vesicles of the mice. The results suggest that melatonin, at physiological concentrations, directly regulates NGF synthesis in the mouse submandibular gland.
Pongsa-Asawapaiboon
A
A
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Asavaritikrai
P
P
Withyachumnarnkul
B
B
Sumridthong
A
A
D000818:Animals; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D008550:Melatonin