HaCaT cell proliferation influenced by melatonin.

The hormone melatonin is characterized by numerous pharmacological effects. The influence of melatonin on the growth of the human hair follicle was shown in previous investigations. In the present study, the effects of melatonin were investigated by means of proliferation tests of HaCaT keratinocytes using the [3H]thymidine incorporation, a fluorescence assay with Hoechst dye 33342 and the ATP bioluminescence assay. The aim of the study was to find melatonin concentrations suitable for treatments of the skin and whether there is a cytotoxic effect on HaCaT cells. The different proliferative activity of melatonin depending on its concentration and the time of incubation could be shown in all investigations. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel