Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40944759›Full record

ArticleJournal of molecular histology2025

Neuroprotection in neonatal Hypoxia-ischaemia: melatonin targets NCX1 to inhibit mitochondrial autophagy via the PINK1-Parkin pathway.

Tongfei Cheng, Shanlong Du, Yi Cao, Ziyan Lu, Yingjun Xu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of molecular histology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Oxygen-vacancy-engineered t-ZnO-CeOBioactive materials · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Tongfei ChengDepartment of Paediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, 6 Tongfu Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong Province, China.
Shanlong DuDepartment of Neurology, Qingdao Central Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Central Medical Group), Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
Yi CaoBiomedical Centre, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266063, Shandong Province, China.
Ziyan LuDepartment of Paediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, 6 Tongfu Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong Province, China.
Yingjun XuDepartment of Paediatrics, Women and Children's Hospital, Qingdao University, 6 Tongfu Road, Shibei District, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong Province, China. siviky@126.com.

Funding

Medical and Health Science and Technology Project of Shandong Province No.202406031337
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveHypoxic ischaemic (HI) damage is a major cause of white matter damage (WMD) in the brains of newborns, especially preterm infants; early neuroprotection is essential to improve cognitive outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on nerve injury by inhibiting mitochondrial autophagy.

methodsWe established a neonatal WMD model through HI induction in postnatal day 3 (P3) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Following four days of intraperitoneal melatonin administration (10 mg/kg/d), temporal changes in expression of sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), myelin integrity markers (myelin-associated glycoprotein [MAG]/proteolipid protein [PLP]), and mitophagy-related proteins (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β [LC3β], PTEN-induced kinase 1 [PINK1], and Parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase [Parkin]) were systematically quantified. Neuronal hyperexcitability was evaluated by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, whereas myelin pathology was assessed by luxol fast blue (LFB) staining, and mitochondrial ultrastructures were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Cognitive recovery was determined using Morris water maze testing at postnatal day 28.

resultsOur results demonstrated that rats subjected to HI presented biphasic alterations in NCX1 expression, characterised by transient upregulation on day 7 followed by a progressive decline (P < 0.001). Concurrently, expression of mitochondrial autophagy markers (LC3β, PINK1, and Parkin) was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Histological analysis revealed distinct mitochondrial structural damage and autophagosome formation. Electrophysiological measurements revealed increased neuronal excitability (P < 0.05), which was correlated with spatial learning and memory deficits. Although melatonin treatment effectively attenuated these pathological alterations, subsequent pharmacological inhibition of NCX1 via SN6 administration in melatonin-treated rats resulted in the recurrence of mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities and the reactivation of autophagic pathways.

conclusionMelatonin attenuated activation of the PINK1-Parkin-dependent mitochondrial autophagy pathway in neonatal rats with HI-induced WMD through mediating the dynamic expression of NCX1. This intervention effectively reduced neuronal hyperexcitability, ameliorated demyelinating lesions, and improved long-term learning and cognitive functions. CLINICAL

trial registrationNot applicable.

Indexed as

AutophagyHypoxia-Ischemia, BrainMelatoninMitochondriaNeuroprotectionNeuroprotective AgentsProtein KinasesSodium-Calcium ExchangerUbiquitin-Protein LigasesAnimalsAnimals, NewbornDisease Models, AnimalMaleMitophagyPTEN-Induced Putative KinaseRatsMelatoninNeuroprotective Agentsparkin proteinProtein KinasesPTEN-Induced Putative KinaseSodium-Calcium Exchangersodium-calcium exchanger 1Ubiquitin-Protein LigasesHypoxia–ischaemiaMelatoninMitochondriaNeuronal excitabilityNewborn

Identifiers

PMID40944759
PMCPMC12433341

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.