title: Evaluation of the relationship between inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and effects of melatonin in experimental osteoporosis in the rat.
abstract: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. iNOS generates nitric oxide (NO), a free radical contributing to the imbalance between bone formation and resorption caused by estrogen depletion. Melatonin is the major product of the pineal gland which is known to diminish iNOS expression and NO production significantly. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of iNOS and the amount of apoptotic cells after melatonin treatment in ovariectomized rats. Since previous studies have shown that constitution of bone formation is primarily sustained in nucleus pulposus and epiphyseal cartilage, experiments were carried out on nucleus pulposus and epiphyseal cartilage; additional quantitation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were evaluated on vertebral area as well. Vertebral sections of ovariectomized rats were obtained from formalin-fixed and parafin-embedded blocks. iNOS expression and quantitation of apoptotic cells in nucleus pulposus and epiphyseal cartilage were evaluated using indirect immunoperoxidase and TUNEL techniques, respectively. The number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in trabecular bone was determined using histomorphometry. Ovariectomy increased iNOS expression and the number of apoptotic cells in nucleus pulposus and epiphyseal cartilage, whereas a 4-week treatment with melatonin (10 mg/kg/day) resulted in the reduction of both effects. These data indicate that there is strong influence of melatonin application on expression of iNOS, apoptosis, osteoclast and osteoblast numbers after ovariectomy. In conclusion, melatonin besides its usual use as an antiaging hormone, may also be an effective hormone in treatment of bone changes in estrogen deficiency states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Ege University, Histoloji ve Embriyoloji A D, TR-35100 Izmir, Turkey. goktem@med.ege.edu.tr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oktem
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uslu
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Vatansever
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aktug
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Yurtseven
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uysal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006132:Growth Plate / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000379:methods; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling / Q000379:methods; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D008550:Melatonin