Viswanathan,M; Siow,Y L; Paulose,C S; Dakshinamurti,K(Department of Biotechnology, May 24, 1988)
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Abstract:
Pvridoxine deficiency causes physiologically significant decrease in brain serotonin (5-HT) due to decreased decarboxylation of 5-
hvdroxvtrvptophan (5-HTP). We have examined the effect of pyridoxine deficiency on indoleamine metabolism in the pineal gland, a
tissue with high indoleamine turnover. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a pyridoxine-supplemented or pyridoxinedeficient
diet for 8 weeks. Pyridoxine deficiency did not alter the pattern of circadian rhythm of pineal 5-HT. 5-hvdroxvindoleacetic
acid (5-HIAA), V-acetvlserotonin (NAS). and melatonin. However the levels of these compounds were significantly lower in the
pineal glands of pyridoxine-deficient animals. Pineal 5-HTP levels were consistently higher in the pyridoxine-deficient animals and a
conspicuous increase was noticed at 22.00 h. Increase in pineal NAS and melatonin levels caused by isoproterenol (5 mg kg at 17.00 h)
were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the pyridoxine-deficient animals. Treatment of pyridoxine-deficient rats with pvridoxine restored
the levels of pineal 5-HT, 5-HIAA. NAS. and melatonin to values seen in pyridoxine-supplemented control animals. These results
suggest that 5-HT availability could be an important factor in the regulation of the synthesis of pineal NAS and melatonin.