These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Effects of 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone on the pineal melatonin generating system.
    Author: Yuwiler A, Winters WD.
    Journal: J Pharmacol Exp Ther; 1985 Apr; 233(1):45-50. PubMed ID: 3981461.
    Abstract:
    6-Methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (6-MBOA) at concentrations greater than 20 microM stimulates serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity of rat pineal glands in 48-hr organ culture as well as of glands freshly cultured, indicating that 6-MBOA acts postsynaptically. The effects of 6-MBOA on NAT activity can be blocked by propranolol but not by prazosin, suggesting that 6-MBOA acts on the beta receptor. At the doses used 6-MBOA stimulation does not block or enhance NAT stimulation by norepinephrine, but is additive with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide which stimulates NAT activity at a site different than the beta receptor. This study demonstrates that 6-MBOA stimulates rather than inhibits melatonin biosynthesis and does not prevent stimulation of melatonin synthesis by norepinephrine. The progonadal association with eating plants containing 6-MBOA in the Montane vole may be due to over stimulation of melatonin receptor sites. Other possible explanations include an extrapineal action such as a blockade of melatonin receptors in the central nervous system, a blockade of receptors on the gonads or to a direct action of this agent on the gonads.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]