Melatonin as immunomodulator in immunodeficient mice

M C Caroleo; D Frasca; G Nisticó; G Doria

doi:10.1016/0162-3109(92)90031-7

Melatonin as immunomodulator in immunodeficient mice

Immunopharmacology. 1992 Mar-Apr;23(2):81-9. doi: 10.1016/0162-3109(92)90031-7.

Authors

M C Caroleo¹, D Frasca, G Nisticó, G Doria

Affiliation

¹ Division of Physics and Biomedical Sciences, ENEA C.R.E. Casaccia, Rome, Italy.

PMID: 1534792
DOI: 10.1016/0162-3109(92)90031-7

Abstract

Melatonin, the main hormone of the pineal gland, when chronically injected into young mice or mice immunodepressed by aging or by cyclophosphamide treatment, is able to enhance the antibody response to a T-dependent antigen. The enhancement of the antibody response is associated with increased induction of T helper cell activity and IL-2 production, as evidenced in mice immunodepressed by aging or by cyclophosphamide treatment. These observations suggest that melatonin treatment may be successfully used in the therapy of immunodepressive conditions.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
Aging / immunology
Animals
Antibody Formation / drug effects
Cyclophosphamide
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / drug therapy*
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / etiology
Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
In Vitro Techniques
Interleukin-2 / biosynthesis
Male
Melatonin / immunology
Melatonin / pharmacology*
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Inbred DBA
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology

Substances

Adjuvants, Immunologic
Interleukin-2
Cyclophosphamide
Melatonin