title: Melatonin Induces Anti-Inflammatory Effects to Play a Protective Role via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Acute Pancreatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Melatonin, which is mainly secreted by the pineal gland and released into blood, has anti-inflammatory properties in acute pancreatitis. Many studies show that melatonin can relieve inflammation in taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis. However, the mechanisms of its anti-inflammatory effects are still undefined, especially the relationship between melatonin and endoplasmic reticulum stress. We explored the anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin in AR42J and rat models.
  
  
  METHODS
  The CCK-8 assay was used to assess effects of melatonin on AR42J cell viability. Inflammatory degree and the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum stress related molecules were examined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The degree of inflammation in the tissue was also accessed by pathological grading. Finally, we used the western blotting method to verify apoptosis and autophagy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endoplasmic reticulum stress was obviously activated in early stage inflammation in AR42J and rat models. Melatonin could induce anti-inflammatory effects via endoplasmic reticulum stress. Melatonin significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokines and the expression of ERS-related molecules. Finally, it played a protective role by promoting apoptosis and autophagy of the cells, which were damaged in the process of inflammatory reaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Melatonin induces anti-inflammatory effects via endoplasmic reticulum stress in acute pancreatitis to play a protective role.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qinfen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yangjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Jiansheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001343:Autophagy / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D059865:Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000473:pathology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D020011:Protective Agents; D008550:Melatonin