Melanin and melatonin are chemically related substances, with many
different characteristic features. Their origin, function, chemical composition
and location in the human body vary widely, and which will be discussed here in
detail.
What is Melanin?
Melanin is one of the major pigments found in human skin, which
determines the skin color. It is synthesized by melanocytes, which are located
in the skin, eye, ear, hair, and central nervous system of the human body. In
addition of providing color, melanin has some other functions, as well. The
most important function is the protection of skin from solar UV radiation,
which causes skin cancer to humans. Melanin shields the cell’s nuclei, thus
prevents DNA damage due to radiation. In addition, it is also involved in
hearing.
Difference Between Melanin and Melatonin
Human melanin basically contains two polymers; (a) eumelanin, which is
dark brown/black and is produced in eumelanosomes, and (b) pheomelanin, which
is red/yellow and is produced in pheomelanosomes. Usually, the final color of
an individual’s skin depends on the type and amount of melanin produced and the
shape, size, and, distribution of the melanosomes in the skin.
What is Melatonin? C13H16N2O2
Difference Between Melanin and Melatonin
Melatonin is a neurotransmitter, which is mainly derived from the cells
in the gastrointestinal tract, the retina, and the pineal gland. Melatonin is
responsible for maintaining sleep wake cycles, biological rhythms, and the
modulation and inhibition of melanin synthesis. In addition, melatonin can
repair the cells, which have been damaged by stress and disease, and stop the
secretion of MSH and ACTH hormones. Also being an antioxidant, melatonin can
destroy microorganisms, and thus it is referred to as disease-fighting hormone.
Melatonin is one of the most complex molecules found in the brain,
liver, intestines, blood, and muscles. Melatonin is synthesized from
Tryptophan, and the synthesis and secretion of melatonin are stimulated by
catecholamines.
What is the difference between Melanin and Melatonin?
• Melanin is a pigment produced by tyrosine, whereas melatonin is a
neurotransmitter produced by tryptophan.
• The main functions of melatonin are the modulation of the synthesis of
melanin, maintaining the sleep wake cycle and biological rhythms in the body,
whereas that of melanin are providing skin color, photo-protection, and
involving in hearing.
• Melanin is synthesized in melanosomes, which are found in melanocytes,
while melatonin is synthesized in the cells of the gastrointestinal tract,
retina, and pineal gland.
• Melanin can be found in skin, eye, ear, hair, and central nervous
system, whereas melatonin can be found in brain, liver, intestines, blood and
muscles.
Also names mixed up here:
Melatonin is a pigment produced by tyrosine, whereas melatonin is a
neurotransmitter produced by tryptophan.
Melatonin is derived from
tryptophan and its responsible for sleep cycle where as Melanin is derived from
tyrosine which produce pigmentation ( color). hope this helps
Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone associated with sleep.
Melanin is the pigment that naturally colors the hair and skin... The
more melanin in the hair and skin the darker the hair and skin.
Melatonin is a natural hormone that regulates the human biological
clock. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland, located within the brain.
Levels of melatonin in the body fluctuate with the cycles of night and day. The
highest melatonin levels are found at night. Melatonin is present in foods only
in trace amounts.
Calcification of the pineal gland is shown to be closely related to
defective sense of direction (Bayliss et al, 1985). In a tricentre prospective
study of 750 patients lateral skull radiographs showed that 394 had calcified
pineal glands. Sense of direction was assessed by subjective questioning and
objective testing and the results noted on a scale of 0-10 (where 10 equals
perfect sense of direction). The average score for the 394 patients with pineal
gland calcification was 3.7 (range 0-8), whereas the 356 patients without
pineal gland calcification had an average score of 7.6 (range 2-10). This
difference was highly significant (p less than 0.01) (Bayliss et al, 1985).
Also, the effects of disturbed sleep and memory are well documented.
Pineal indolamine (e.g. Melatonin/Serotonin) and peptide hormones
influence immune functions. Melatonin, in particular, increases immune memory
while T-dependent antigene immunization stimulates antibody production.
According to Maestroni (1993), in an article published in the Journal of Pineal
Research a tight physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune
system is emerging that might reflect the evolutionary connection between
self-recognition and reproduction. He goes further, mentioning that
Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis
and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by
melatonin. In general, melatonin appears to have an immunoenhancing effect. An
interesting observation is the apparent protection from autoimmune diseases in
areas of West Africa and especially in places where malaria is a problem
(Greenwood, 1968).
melanin protects against cryptoccocus neoformans (parasite of central
nervous system) its known that europeans and their descendants suffer from
higher rates of many diseases affecting CNS EXAMPLE; huntingtons disease, optic
neuritus, parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, PKU, spinal bifida, etc.
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