Relationship between amyloid beta protein and melatonin metabolite in a study of electric utility workers.

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship between occupational magnetic field exposure, the urinary melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS), and concentrations of blood-borne soluble amyloid beta (A beta), a protein associated with the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Blood and urine samples were obtained from male electric utility workers (n = 60) to quantify two lengths of the protein in plasma, A beta (amino acids 1-40) and A beta (1-42), and the urinary concentrations of 6-OHMS. Average A beta levels were positively associated with categories of magnetic field exposure, but this relationship was weak and did not achieve statistical significance. The melatonin metabolite was inversely correlated with A beta (1-42) and the ratio of A beta (1-42) to A beta (1-40). This observation is consistent with recent in vitro data and provides a plausible mechanism for the association between magnetic field exposure and AD that has been observed in some studies.

• Authors: Curtis W Noonan, John S Reif, James B Burch, Travers Y Ichinose, Michael G Yost, Kathy Magnusson
• Journal: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine (J Occup Environ Med) Vol. 44 Issue 8 Pg. 769-75 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 1076-2752 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12185798 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Amyloid beta-Peptides
• Melatonin

Topics

• Adult
• Alzheimer Disease (blood, etiology, urine)
• Amyloid beta-Peptides (blood)
• Electromagnetic Fields (adverse effects)
• Environmental Monitoring
• Humans
• Male
• Melatonin (urine)
• Middle Aged
• Occupational Exposure (adverse effects)