by Poon Yam Kau. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 174-183). / Abstract --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Discovery of melatonin --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biosynthesis of melatonin --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Physiology of melatonin and other pineal indoles --- p.5 / Chapter 1.4 --- Relationship between pineal indoles and cancers --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Macrophages --- p.9 / Chapter 1.6 --- Lymphocytes --- p.11 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Effects of different light/dark cycles on serum melatonin level in mice and effect of melatonin-feeding on serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity in mice / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.22 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.23 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Actions of endogenous and exogenous melatonin on murine peritoneal macrophages / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.28 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.33 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.36 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Actions of endogenous and exogenous melatonin on murine splenic lymphocytes / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.55 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.62 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.69 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- In vitro effects of melatonin on murine peritoneal macrophages and splenic lymphocytes / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.105 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.106 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results --- p.109 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.113 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Effects of methoxytryptamine on murine peritoneal macrophages and splenic lymphocytes / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.125 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.126 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results --- p.129 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.132 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- In vitro effects of pineal indoles on cultured tumor cell lines / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.145 / Chapter 7.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.146 / Chapter 7.3 --- Results --- p.148 / Chapter 7.4 --- Discussion --- p.152 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- General Discussion --- p.170 / References --- p.174