How different light colors and exposure times affect enzyme activity in the rat's pineal gland
Updated
Abstract
Exposure to white or green light for 15 seconds can decrease night-time serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity in the rat pineal gland by 44% and 37%, respectively.
- NAT activity in the rat pineal gland is significantly inhibited by light exposure.
- A 15-second pulse of white or green light results in a marked decline in NAT activity.
- Longer exposures (1 minute) to white, green, and blue lights further decrease NAT activity by 56%, 46%, and 21%, respectively.
- Red light exposure for 1 minute does not significantly change NAT enzyme activity.
- After 15 minutes of exposure to any tested light, NAT activity drops to 8-9% of the dark control value.
Simplified