Melatonin concentrations in pineal organ culture are suppressed by sera from tumor-bearing mice

Riferimento: 
J Pineal Res. 1994 Aug;17(1):17-9.
Autori: 
Leone AM, Skene D.
Fonte: 
Department of Physical Sciences, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Kent, U.K.
Anno: 
1994
Azione: 
Melatonin rhythmicity is suppressed in cancer patients.
Target: 
Plasma borne tumor-associated factor (TAMF).

Abstract

The melatonin rhythm is significantly attenuated in a wide range of human and animal tumor types. Since surgical removal of the tumor has been shown to restore this rhythm, we hypothesized that a plasma borne tumor-associated factor (TAMF) could be responsible. A population of mice were injected with tumor cells and sequentially killed and bled over the following 9 days, i.e., to the maximal state of tumor growth. Pooled serum from the different collection days was added to an established pineal organ culture system, and melatonin concentrations measured. A highly significant correlation between melatonin concentrations and the stage of tumor growth was seen with maximal inhibition occurring at day 9 (P < 0.01). These findings support our hypothesis and may help to explain the mechanism whereby melatonin rhythmicity is suppressed in cancer patients.

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