5-Methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-MIAA) is a methoxyindole that is synthesized in rat pineal gland, retina, and harderian gland.1 Following conversion to a peroxyl radical by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), 5-MIAA increases the rate of formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in liposomes and is cytotoxic to V79 hamster cells.2,3 In vivo, 5-MIAA (100 and 200 μg/animal) prolongs the estrous cycle and increases diestrous smears, uterine weight, the number of uterine follicles, and plasma levels of 17β-estradiol in female rats.1
|1. Ocal-Irez, T., Durmus, G., Sekerkiran, Y., et al. Effect of a pineal indolamine, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid, on the estrous cycle and reproductive organs of female wistar albino rats. Brain Res. 493(1), 1-7 (1989).|2. Candeias, L.P., Folkes, L.K., Porssa, M., et al. Enhancement of lipid peroxidation by indole-3-acetic acid and derivatives: Substituent effects. Free Radic. Res. 23(5), 403-418 (1995).|3. Folkes, L.K., Candeias, L.P., and Wardman, P. Toward targeted "oxidation therapy" of cancer: Peroxidase-catalysed cytotoxicity of indole-3-acetic acids. Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys. 42(4), 917-920 (1998).