Melatonin: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a hormone of the pineal gland, a part of the diencephalon. It is produced by the pinealocytes in the pineal gland. Melatonin promotes sleep and controls the day-night rhythm. Synthesis Melatonin is produced from the essential amino acid tryptophan via the intermediate serotonin. Synthesis proceeds as follows: L-tryptophan is converted to 5-hydroxytryptophan … Melatonin: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution

Melatonin: Functions

The action of melatonin at the cellular level occurs through two distinct regulatory circuits, two of which are of paramount importance. These are G protein-coupled melatonin receptor 1 (MT1) and melatonin receptor 2 (MT2), which is also G protein-coupled. MT1 influences reproduction (reproduction), metabolism (metabolism) and vasoconstriction (vasoconstriction); MT2 is required for the transmission of … Melatonin: Functions

Melatonin: Interactions

Because melatonin is metabolized primarily by CYP1A enzymes, it may interact with drugs that are also metabolized by or inhibit CYP1A. CYP1A inhibitors include estrogens in the form of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HER) or the antidepressant fluvoxamine. Simultaneous use of melatonin with CYP1A inhibitors results in melatonin excess. Nicotine abuse, in turn, reduces … Melatonin: Interactions

Choline: Interactions

Folate Homocysteine can be remethylated to methionine in two different ways – Folate is important for one pathway and choline for the other. In the first case, homocysteine is methylated to methionine (addition of CH 3 groups) by the enzyme methionine synthase. For this process, methionine synthase requires methyl tetrafolate as a methyl group donor … Choline: Interactions

Choline: Safety Assessment

The American Institute of Medicine (IoM) established an intake of 7.5 g of choline/day as the lowest evaluated intake level that produced an adverse effect (LOAEL), and on this basis, as well as taking into account a safety factor and rounding, established a so-called Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). This UL reflects the safe maximum … Choline: Safety Assessment

Choline: Supply Situation

In their study, Vennemann et al recorded the average choline intake of Europeans. This is between 244-373 mg/day in young adults (10-18 years), 291-468 mg/day in adults in the range (18-65 years), and 284-450 mg/day in older individuals. They compiled, based on the results of 12 European studies, an overview of total choline intake in … Choline: Supply Situation

Choline: Intake

To date, there are no intake recommendations (D-A-CH reference values) for choline intake from the German Nutrition Society (DGE). The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published adequate intakes for choline in 2016, which can be considered as European reference values: Adequate intakes Age Choline (mg/day) Infants 7-11 months 160 Children 1-3 years 140 4-6 years … Choline: Intake

Coenzyme Q10: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10; synonym: ubiquinone) is a vitaminoid (vitamin-like substance) discovered in 1957 at the University of Wisconsin. The elucidation of its chemical structure was carried out one year later by the working group led by the natural products chemist Prof. K. Folkers. Coenzymes Q are compounds of oxygen (O2), hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) … Coenzyme Q10: Definition, Synthesis, Absorption, Transport, and Distribution

Coenzyme Q10: Functions

Two-time Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Linus Pauling called coenzyme Q10 one of the greatest enrichments among natural substances that can promote human health. Numerous studies not only prove the positive effects of Q10 in the therapy of various diseases, such as tumor diseases, heart failure (cardiac insufficiency), myocardial infarction (heart attack), hypertension (high blood pressure) … Coenzyme Q10: Functions

Coenzyme Q10: Interactions

Interactions of coenzyme Q10 with other micronutrients (vital substances): Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 is essential for the synthesis of coenzyme Q10: The first step in the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10 – conversion of tyrosine to 4-hydroxy-phenylpyruvic acid – requires vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal 5 ́-phosphate. There is a positive interaction between serum … Coenzyme Q10: Interactions