Growing Teeth in the Dark: Orcadian Rhythmic Tooth Growth Regulated by Melatonin?
Introduction: Melatonin is released from the pineal gland and its release is regulated by the light. It is a well-known hormone for circadian rhythm that affects various activities of our body. In particular, melatonin has been reported to enhance the differentiation of os-teoblasts in vitro and promotes bone formation in vivo. Melatonin acts on its specific receptors on the cell surface and the receptors were found to be widely distributed in many organs including the teeth, which were reported recently. Interestingly, the teeth have also been known for a long time that may grow in a rhythmic fashion. The hypothesis: Based on the aforementioned understanding on melatonin and the distribution of its receptors, we hypothesized that melatonin may be the driving force for circadian rhythmic tooth growth. Evaluation of the hypothesis: Since melatonin regulates various intracellular activities via its receptor, it is possible that melatonin also affects early development of teeth and their postnatal growth. In addition, the melatonin receptors may also involve in the pathology of various dental diseases including malocclusions.
Melatonin receptors Circadian rhythm.
Fang Ji Jiang Tao William Jia Gang Shen
Department of Orthodontics Depart- ment of General Dentistry, Ninth Peoples Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Department of Surgery and Brain Re- search Center. University of British Co- lumbia, 2211 Wesbrook M
国际会议
上海
英文
409-414
2011-12-28（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）