title: Melatonin protects mast cells against cytotoxicity mediated by chemical stimuli PMACI: possible clinical use.
abstract: Melatonin has documented cytoprotective effects on a wide variety of immune cells. The mechanism of action on mast cells (RBL-2H3) still remains in the dark. We found that melatonin significantly attenuated phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-induced cytotoxicity in a concentration and time-dependent manner. It appears that the effect of melatonin on mast cells is two-fold: dependent (MT1 and MT2) and independent membrane receptors. In conclusion, melatonin treatment reduced the cytotoxicity, mediated by PMACI, and could provide a useful therapeutic option in processes where an excessive activation of mast cells occurs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of Seville Medical School, Spain. Electronic address: aibar@us.es.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Garcia-Moreno
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Calvo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000001:Calcimycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D061207:Calcium Ionophores / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010703:Phorbol Esters / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D061207:Calcium Ionophores; D002273:Carcinogens; D010703:Phorbol Esters; D000001:Calcimycin; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Cytoprotection; Immune system; Melatonin; RBL-2H3 mast cells