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Melanin Production Discovered in Fat Tissue May Protect Some Individuals Against Chronic Diseases Associated with Obesity
November 07, 2008A two-year study conducted by researchers at George Mason University, INOVA Fairfax Hospital and the National Cancer Institute may open the door to new therapies for combating chronic diseases associated with obesity, a condition that affected more than 33 percent of American adults in 2005-06 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While analyzing samples taken from morbidly obese patients undergoing weight loss surgery, the researchers discovered that substantial quantities of melanin-a pigment that gives the skin, the hair and the iris of the eye their natural color-were being produced in the study participants' fat tissue.
Ancha Baranova, assistant professor in George Mason University's Department of Molecular and Microbiology and the paper's lead author, explains that melanin production has never before been identified in fat tissue. She believes that the antioxidant, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, could be the body's natural defense against obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and some cancers.
"Stockpiling extra calories is difficult even for specialized fat cells; having too much lipid molecules takes its toll on the fat cells, producing oxidative stress," says Baranova. "It's not unthinkable that these cells would adapt and produce melanin as a form of self-protection. As a side benefit, melanin may suppress inflammatory properties of the extra pounds of the fat."
Baranova notes that a larger study is needed in order to confirm the role that the body's production of this compound plays in fat tissue. However, the discovery suggests that melanin-based therapies may one day be used to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases among the morbidly obese.
"This opens an entirely new avenue for medical interventions because the process of biosynthesis of melanin is relatively easy to meddle with," says Baranova. "We hope that this study will spur the development of preventive medications aimed at curtailing devastating metabolic complications in obese and overweight populations."
The paper was co-authored by Manpreet Randhawa, Tom Huff and Vikas Chandhoke of George Mason University; Julio C. Valencia and Vincent J. Hearing of the National Cancer Institute; and Zobair Younossi of INOVA Fairfax Hospital. The study was funded by the Thomas F. Jeffress and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust and by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The findings appear in the current Web edition of the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) Journal and will be published in the March 2009 print edition.
George Mason University
"Stockpiling extra calories is difficult even for specialized fat cells; having too much lipid molecules takes its toll on the fat cells, producing oxidative stress," says Baranova. "It's not unthinkable that these cells would adapt and produce melanin as a form of self-protection. As a side benefit, melanin may suppress inflammatory properties of the extra pounds of the fat."
Baranova notes that a larger study is needed in order to confirm the role that the body's production of this compound plays in fat tissue. However, the discovery suggests that melanin-based therapies may one day be used to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases among the morbidly obese.
"This opens an entirely new avenue for medical interventions because the process of biosynthesis of melanin is relatively easy to meddle with," says Baranova. "We hope that this study will spur the development of preventive medications aimed at curtailing devastating metabolic complications in obese and overweight populations."
The paper was co-authored by Manpreet Randhawa, Tom Huff and Vikas Chandhoke of George Mason University; Julio C. Valencia and Vincent J. Hearing of the National Cancer Institute; and Zobair Younossi of INOVA Fairfax Hospital. The study was funded by the Thomas F. Jeffress and Kate Miller Jeffress Memorial Trust and by the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute at the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The findings appear in the current Web edition of the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) Journal and will be published in the March 2009 print edition.
George Mason University
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Melanin: The Chemical Key To Black Greatness (Black Greatness Series) by Carol Barnes (Author) This book, is designed to familiarize the Black Human with Melanin and its importance to life, memory processes, ancient African history, sunlight, music, dancing, anti-aging, anti-cancer, religion, electromagnetism, and any other scientific and cultural parameters. |
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Source Naturals N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine 300mg, 120 tablets by Source Naturals Dietary supplement. N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine is a more rapidly absorbed and bioavailable form of the amino acid L-tyrosine, and is less prone to urinary excretion. L-Tyrosine is converted in the body to key biologic compounds, including epinephrine, dopamine, L-dopa, CoQ10, thyroid hormones, and melanin. The B vitamins pyridoxine (B-6) and folic acid are provided to assist in the conversion process (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease). Suitable for vegetarians. Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance. |
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From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson (Author) Melanin Sun has a lot to say. But sometimes it’s hard to speak his mind, so he fills up notebooks with his thoughts instead. He writes about his mom a lot— they’re about as close as they can be, because they have no other family. So when she suddenly tells him she’s gay, his world is turned upside down. And if that weren’t hard enough for him to accept, her girlfriend is white. Melanin Sun is angry and scared. How can his mom do this to him—is this the end of their closeness? What will his friends think? And can he let her girlfriend be part of their family? |
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Why Darkness Matters : The Power of Melanin In the Brain by Ann Brown (Author) Asking the question, Are people with dark skin truly different?, these essays consider the history, science, and psychology of melanin. With contributions from such noted writers and scholars as Hunter Adams, Ann Brown, Richard King, and Owen Moore, these writings explore the history of people with surface skin melanin. The genetic influence of melanin on culture and learning is also addressed, with a specific look at the unfair treatment of African American children in schools that has led to poor IQ test scores and disproportionate numbers of African American children in special education classes. |
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Meladine All Natural Melanin Enhancer (4 oz) by Meladine Today thousands of women are annoyed and embarrassed by tiny blonde hairs, frequently referred to as "peach fuzz", that often cover the sides of the face, the abdomen and other areas of the body. And even though we are now able to walk on the moon and clone a sheep, until recently, there has been no permanent solution for this pesky problem. Today, many women still resort to repeated waxing treatments, tweezing and even shaving. And for those who have considered resolving the problem through laser hair removal, the fact is that 30% of those seeking this procedure cannot be treated due to a lack of pigmentation in the hair. Meladine is a natural melanin enhancer solution which, when sprayed on the desired area, selectively deposits natural melanin directly into the hair... |
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2008 Face & Legs Hard to Tan Places w/ Melanin Booster & Light DHA 8 Oz by Norvell/Body Invest 2008 Face & Legs Hard to Tan Places w/ Melanin Booster & light DHA 8oz Face-Leg Tanner/Melanin Booster Specialty tanning lotion for hard to tan places with melanin booster. Hypo allergenic and non-sensitizing. Blended with the highest active levels of fine raw materials to tan delicate and hard to tan places. Wonderful fresh peach honey fragrance. |
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Melanin Man by Mutabaruka Mutabaruka is described as a "celebrated reggae dub/poet" in his publicity, but this album, Melanin Man, is underwhelming on all three counts. The reggae is relegated to a minor role in the arrangements, more a signifier of the monologuist's Jamaican roots than a music with a satisfying syncopation or melody. The dance-hall rhythms and dub echoes are used in such an unimaginative, mechanical manner that they pander to all the worst stereotypes about programmed tracks. And Mutabaruka's verse is all strident polemics full of abstract nouns with none of the sensual imagery and fresh metaphor of the Caribbean's best musical poets such as Bob Marley and Shinehead, much less literary poets like Derek Walcott. --Geoffrey Himes |
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