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Use of Novel Light Sources and Melatonin Delivery Systems in the Maintenance of Temporal Organization of Physiological and Behavioral Circadian RhythmsThe synchronization of physiological and behavioral rhythms are controlled by an endogenous biological clock. It is generally accepted that environmental lighting is the strongest entrainer of this clock. The pineal gland is an important physiological transducer of environmental lighting via systemic melatonin secretion. We have used a novel light source using light emitting diode (LED) technology to entrain circadian rhythms in rats, and propose a novel percutaneous exogenous melatonin delivery system to entrain rat rhythms. We used 5 groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (175-350 g; N = 8/group) and showed normal entrainment of gross locomotor activity, feeding, and drinking circadian rhythms at light intensities varying from 80 lux to 0.1 lux (22.4 to 0.03 sq cm). To improve the delivery of melatonin across the skin stratum corneum it was formulated in a suitable vehicle in a transdermal drug delivery system. Various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were used E, akin penetration enhancers. Our best vehicle formulation was achieved with a combination-of ethano1:water (60:40) along with 5% oleic acid as the enhancer. This formulation mixture was studied using Franz diffusion cell (0.636 sq cm diffusional area) and 1 cu cm dorsal skin isolated from Sprague Dawley rats. Our results showed that oleic acid in combination with the water ethanol mixture improved the flux of melatonin by more than 18 fold. The lag time for melatonin permeation was 2-3 hrs and the peak concentrations were achieved in 8-10 hrs. Our approaches in the future will involve the use of our transdermal melatonin delivery system and under the influence of LED light and microgravity.
Document ID
20040053300
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Winget, C. M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Singh, M. S.
(Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univ. Tallahassee, FL, United States)
Syrkin, N. C.
(San Jose State Univ. CA, United States)
Holley, D. C.
(San Jose State Univ. CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
May 29, 1998
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Aerospace Medical Aerospace Symposium
Location: Singapore
Country: China
Start Date: September 8, 1998
End Date: September 10, 1998
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 106-50-06
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-843
PROJECT: RTOP 334-10-01
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC2-779
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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