Melatonin Pinealocytes

An informative article on: Melatonin Pinealocytes.

Pinealocytes are the primary cells of the pineal gland. Pinealocytes are irregularly-shaped cells with centrally-located nucleoli. The pineal gland is also called the pineal body or the epiphysis. This small, pea-sized gland is located in the central part of the brain. Its name is based upon its typical shape that resembles the cone of a pine tree.

Basics of Melatonin: Pinealocytes

Melatonin is one of the most potent, naturally-occurring compounds found in the human body. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pinealocytes. Melatonin is responsible for regulating the circadian rhythms of the human body. Circadian rhythm is the basic mechanism that controls the internal regulation of sleeping/waking patterns. This is why melatonin supplementation is prescribed to people suffering from sleeping disorders. The secretion of melatonin is regulated by the presence/absence of natural light. Pinealocytes are equipped with a cellular component called a synaptic ribbon. This is considered as the most distinct feature that lends pinealocytes the ability to secrete melatonin. Pinealocytes are equipped with special enzymes that are needed for converting serotonin into melatonin.

Understanding Melatonin: Pinealocytes

Among normal individuals, levels of melatonin are inversely proportional to the amount of daylight. This means that melatonin levels peak during the night and are minimal during the daytime. A sleep disorder is generally diagnosed as a condition of abnormal melatonin levels. Here, the hormone levels tend to remain high during the day, inducing a feeling of sleepiness or tiredness. During the nighttime, the lower melatonin levels make it hard to fall asleep, inducing a state of mental frustration. When this problem persists for a few weeks, other metabolic functions of the body are also adversely affected. As a result, the individual suffers from day-long lethargy that doesn’t react to conventional medications or even after taking extended rest. Inability to sleep can catalyze a series of health conditions, including depression and elevated anxiety levels which in turn, can cause other hormonal problems. This is when melatonin supplementation is prescribed by a physician.

Overview of Melatonin Supplementation

Synthetic melatonin is retailed in pharma stores across a wide range of doses. Most people needing such hormonal supplementation are started on a mid-range dose and the potency is gradually increased. Among the possible side-effects of using melatonin supplementation, allergic reactions are some of the commonly-reported issues. In terms of safety, being treated with melatonin can pose some problems if the patient is already suffering from other conditions like depression, epilepsy, diabetes or renal and hepatic problems.

Use of Melatonin: Pinealocytes

During the supplementation phase, the hormone is administered during the night, helping the individual to sleep. This helps to restore the overall balance of melatonin. Due to its ability to control the sleeping patterns, melatonin supplementation has also been tried in the management of migraine and other, anxiety-related problems that adversely affect the sleeping patterns of an individual. Melatonin is often included in some non-prescription medications but this is done in trace amounts. Synthetic melatonin is usually available as a hormonal supplement, in the form of packaged tablets.

Other Conditions when Melatonin Supplementation is Recommended

• Chronic fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Symptoms of cancer
• Jet-lag or extreme mental strain
• Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Understanding Alternate Uses of Supplementing with Melatonin

Apart from being a sleep-pattern regulator, melatonin is a potent antioxidant. This is why it is often used for the management of various symptoms mentioned above. Appropriate melatonin levels are required for slow down the ageing process and prevent the tendency to develop throbbing headaches. However, the use of melatonin in treating cancer isn't very clear. It is widely believed that due to its anti-oxidant properties, melatonin hampers the growth of tumor cells. Melatonin is also useful for negating the side-effects of chemotherapy.