CIRCADIAN DYNAMICS OF OPTIC DENSITY OF MELATONIN RECEPTORS IN THE NEURONS OF HYPOTHALAMIC SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEUS IN RATS UNDER ALTERED PHOTOPERIOD

Abstract

Introduction. Melatonin production is considerably suppressed by light and affects the ability to transfer daily rhythm information from the hypothalamus to other neural target sites and thus alters the expression of some biological rhythms. The hormone controls the state of the hypothalamic-pituitary system and endocrine gland activity through melatonin receptors (membrane, cytosolic and nuclear ones). In addition, using a mechanism of the feedback, it interferes with the activity of supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which regulates water-salt metabolism and responses to stress. Objective: to provide quantitative circadian characteristics of melatonin receptors density in the neurons of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus of rats being under light stimulation as well as the correction of changes after injecting exogenous melatonin. Material and methods. The experiments were conducted on 60 white mongrel mature male rats weighing 150 – 180 g. The test animals were divided into 3 parts each with 2 groups, kept under the conditions of standard light regime, hyperilluminated and the injection of exogenous melatonin and day-round lighting within 7 days. To perform immunohistochemical methods, we used polyclonal antibodies to melatonin 1A receptors produced by Abcam and streptavidin biotin visualization system LSAB2 (peroxidase mark + diaminobenzidine) produced by Chemicon International Inc. We adhered to protocol standardization of methods for all sections. Additional staining of nuclei was performed with Mayer hematoxylin. Results. The indices of optical density of specific melatonin 1A receptors of supraoptic neurocytes staining obtained in the intact group (at 02.00 AM- 0,488 ± 0,0024, at 02.00 P.M. - 0,464 ± 0,0023, p = 0.002) and in animals subjected to light stress (at 02.00 AM-0,295 ± 0, 0019, at 02.00 P.M.- 0,286 ± 0,0018, p = 0,012) had a probable value and were characterized by a clear diurnal periodicity. In the group of animals with pineal gland hypofunction modulation (at 02.00 A.M.- 0,216 ± 0,0017, at 02.00 P.M. - 0,214 ± 0,0021, p> 0,05). Conclusions The density of 1A melatonin receptors in rat’s hypothalamic supraoptic neurons are normally characterized by an accurate circadian rhythm. The highest density of receptors is observed at 02.00 AM, and at 02.00 PM it is significantly lower (p = 0.002). Immunohistochemical studies revealed that under inhibition of pineal gland activity the circadian rhythm of melatonin receptors density in neurons of supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus gets disturbed, which is characterized by an incredible difference of indices in the tested periods of the day.