Middleton Benita
Chronobiology Group, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Methods Mol Biol. 2013;1065:171-99. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-616-0_11.
Melatonin is an indole hormone secreted by the pineal gland during the hours of darkness in a normally entrained individual. There is a clear circadian rhythm in its production with low levels during the day and a peak in the early hours of the morning. The timing of sample collection is crucial and single time point measurements are of little use. Measurement of melatonin or its major metabolite, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, is normally carried out to determine the timing of an individual's internal body clock and whether it is synchronized to the 24 h day. Misalignment of the clock or disruption of the rhythm can lead to difficulties in sleeping and health problems such as are associated with jet-lag or shift work. Both melatonin and 6-sulphatoxymelatonin can be measured by RIA or ELISA. Details of sample collection and preparation and the assay procedures are described.
褪黑素是一种吲哚类激素，在正常节律的个体中，由松果体在夜间分泌。其分泌具有明显的昼夜节律，白天水平较低，凌晨时分达到峰值。样本采集的时间至关重要，单次时间点测量几乎没有用处。通常通过测量褪黑素或其主要代谢产物6-硫酸氧褪黑素，来确定个体生物钟的时间以及其是否与24小时昼夜节律同步。生物钟失调或节律紊乱会导致睡眠困难以及诸如与时差反应或轮班工作相关的健康问题。褪黑素和6-硫酸氧褪黑素均可通过放射免疫分析（RIA）或酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）进行测量。文中描述了样本采集、制备及检测程序的详细信息。
