Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 4 of 4 items for

  • Author: M. D. A. FINNIE x
  • Refine by access: All content x
Clear All Modify Search
S. J. CARTER
Search for other papers by S. J. CARTER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
C. A. LAUD
Search for other papers by C. A. LAUD in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
I. SMITH
Search for other papers by I. SMITH in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. M. LEONE
Search for other papers by R. M. LEONE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. J. L. HOOPER
Search for other papers by R. J. L. HOOPER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. E. SILMAN
Search for other papers by R. E. SILMAN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. D. A. FINNIE
Search for other papers by M. D. A. FINNIE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P. E. MULLEN
Search for other papers by P. E. MULLEN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
D. L. LARSON-CARTER
Search for other papers by D. L. LARSON-CARTER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

SUMMARY

5-Methoxytryptophol, a serotonin metabolite, was measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in pineal glands, plasma and control tissues (cerebral cortex and salivary glands) from male rats kept in a controlled lighting environment. In the pineal gland the level of 5-methoxytryptophol was significantly higher during the dark period than during the light, the absolute levels being an order of magnitude less than those of melatonin. In the plasma, the levels showed a reverse situation with respect to lighting conditions. No correlation was found between the 5-methoxytryptophol levels in plasma and the pineal gland in individual animals. These results suggest that there is no obvious correlation between pineal content and pineal activity. This may be due to a combination of rapid turnover, secretion and/or peripheral conversion of another 5-methoxyindole to 5-methoxytryptophol.

Restricted access
R. J. L. HOOPER
Search for other papers by R. J. L. HOOPER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. E. SILMAN
Search for other papers by R. E. SILMAN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. M. LEONE
Search for other papers by R. M. LEONE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. D. A. FINNIE
Search for other papers by M. D. A. FINNIE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S. J. CARTER
Search for other papers by S. J. CARTER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. SAVAGE
Search for other papers by M. SAVAGE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. PREECE
Search for other papers by M. PREECE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
I. SMITH
Search for other papers by I. SMITH in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
P. E. MULLEN
Search for other papers by P. E. MULLEN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

Pineal indoles have been shown to affect the release of anterior pituitary hormones but details of the interrelationships are lacking. Using a new gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (g.c.–m.s.) assay the concentration of 5-methoxytryptophol (ML) was measured in plasma samples obtained from 16 children undergoing investigation of pituitary function for delayed growth. All the children received an insulin tolerance test (ITT) to study their endocrine response to stress. Some children received luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) and/or thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH). The change in concentration of ML during an ITT was similar to the change in concentration of blood sugar; a drop at 20 min followed by a rise at 30 min. This was not significantly altered by the administration of LH-RH or TRH, nor was there a different pattern of response in children who were deficient in growth hormone as opposed to those with idiopathic delayed growth. The fall in concentration of ML with stress may mediate the increased secretion of pituitary hormones. Alternatively, the pineal gland may respond directly to insulin.

Restricted access
R. M. LEONE
Search for other papers by R. M. LEONE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. E. SILMAN
Search for other papers by R. E. SILMAN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. J. L. HOOPER
Search for other papers by R. J. L. HOOPER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. D. A. FINNIE
Search for other papers by M. D. A. FINNIE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S. J. CARTER
Search for other papers by S. J. CARTER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. EDWARDS
Search for other papers by R. EDWARDS in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
I. SMITH
Search for other papers by I. SMITH in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P. TOWELL
Search for other papers by P. TOWELL in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
P. E. MULLEN
Search for other papers by P. E. MULLEN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

SUMMARY

5-Methoxytryptophol (ML) is found in the pineal gland and is known to have biological activity especially as an antigonadotrophic agent, but methods have been lacking for its measurement in the circulation. A gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay using a trimethylsilyl derivative has been developed for the routine measurement of ML in plasma. The assay is of great specificity and has a sensitivity of 20 pmol/l. Studies on the levels of pineal indoles in the circulation, however, have been hampered by the possibility that extraneous compounds are being cross-measured. Thus the specificity of the routine assay has been further validated by comparing it with an alternative assay system where all the major parameters were changed, i.e. derivatizing reagent, internal standard and mass number. Results that were obtained using both assay systems were closely comparable.

Restricted access
R. J. L. HOOPER
Search for other papers by R. J. L. HOOPER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. E. SILMAN
Search for other papers by R. E. SILMAN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
R. M. LEONE
Search for other papers by R. M. LEONE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
M. D. A. FINNIE
Search for other papers by M. D. A. FINNIE in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
S. J. CARTER
Search for other papers by S. J. CARTER in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
J. G. GRUDZINSKAS
Search for other papers by J. G. GRUDZINSKAS in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
Y. B. GORDON
Search for other papers by Y. B. GORDON in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
DIANE T. HOLLAND
Search for other papers by DIANE T. HOLLAND in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
T. CHARD
Search for other papers by T. CHARD in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
P. E. MULLEN
Search for other papers by P. E. MULLEN in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
I. SMITH
Search for other papers by I. SMITH in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close

SUMMARY

The pineal indole 5-methoxytryptophol (ML) has been shown to have an antigonadal activity when administered to experimental animals, but data on its normal pattern of secretion have been lacking. Using a new gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay, the concentration of ML at various phases of the human menstrual cycle has been studied. Daily samples were obtained throughout the month from five women with a normal cycle and two women taking an oral contraceptive. In women with a normal cycle levels of ML were found to be significantly lower in the last third of their cycle; this change was not seen in women taking an oral contraceptive who had low levels throughout the month. The changes in concentration of ML did not correlate with the changes in concentration of gonadotrophins.

Restricted access