Open AccessMelatonin protects vertebral endplate chondrocytes against apoptosis and calcification via the Sirt1‐autophagy pathway
Author(s) -
Zhang Zengjie,
Lin Jialiang,
Tian Naifeng,
Wu Yaosen,
Zhou Yifei,
Wang Chenggui,
Wang Qingqing,
Jin Haiming,
Chen Tingting,
Nisar Majid,
Zheng Gang,
Xu Tianzhen,
Gao Weiyang,
Zhang Xiaolei,
Wang Xiangyang
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.13903
Subject(s) - melatonin , autophagy , apoptosis , calcification , endocrinology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , sirtuin 1 , chemistry , biology , downregulation and upregulation , biochemistry , gene
Melatonin is reportedly associated with intervertebral disc degeneration ( IDD ). Endplate cartilage is vitally important to intervertebral discs in physiological and pathological conditions. However, the effects and mechanism of melatonin on endplate chondrocytes ( EPC s) are still unclear. Herein, we studied the effects of melatonin on EPC apoptosis and calcification and elucidated the underlying mechanism. Our study revealed that melatonin treatment decreases the incidence of apoptosis and inhibits EPC calcification in a dose‐dependent manner. We also found that melatonin upregulates Sirt1 expression and activity and promotes autophagy in EPC s. Autophagy inhibition by 3‐methyladenine reversed the protective effect of melatonin on apoptosis and calcification, while the Sirt1 inhibitor EX ‐527 suppressed melatonin‐induced autophagy and the protective effects of melatonin against apoptosis and calcification, indicating that the beneficial effects of melatonin in EPC s are mediated through the Sirt1‐autophagy pathway. Furthermore, melatonin may ameliorate IDD in vivo in rats. Collectively, this study revealed that melatonin reduces EPC apoptosis and calcification and that the underlying mechanism may be related to Sirt1‐autophagy pathway regulation, which may help us better understand the association between melatonin and IDD .