MP17-Intercellular Communication

Information
Members
Patents
Publications
Projects
Clinical trials

The Research Group CTS-101: Intercellular Communication, consolidated by the Junta de Andalucía, is directed by Profs. Darío Acuña Castroviejo and Germaine Escames, Professors of Physiology at the University of Granada. It is made up of doctors Luis Carlos López, Associate Professor; Iryna Rusanova, Prof. Assistant Doctor; Ana López Ramírez and Elena Díaz Casado, Postdoctoral contractors, as well as 5 FPU and predoctoral fellows up to a number of 15 members. Darío Acuña Castroviejo is also a Clinical Analysis Specialist at the San Cecilio University Hospital, Scientific Advisor to the University's Scientific Instrumentation Center, and Supervisor of the Radioactive Facilities Laboratory of the Biomedical Research Center. He has been director of the ISCIII Thematic Network on the Molecular and Cellular Bases of Oxidative Damage in Aging between 2003-2006, which in 2016 became the CIBER of Aging and Fragility (CIBERfes), to which he belongs, together with the Research Group CTS-101. The main line of research of the Research Group has been and is the study of the mitochondria as a fundamental cellular organelle and as a therapeutic target for melatonin in various pathologies. Among them, aging, Parkinson's, sepsis, cancer and mitochondrial deficiencies have been a fundamental objective of the Group. The Research Group stands out for its high productivity and transfer to the productive sector, mainly to the pharmaceutical industry. The research has been funded by regional, national and international R&D projects, assiduously collaborating with leading international groups in their field. Several patents for new melatonin formulations have been tested in various clinical trials and transferred to the pharmaceutical industry. Another, a cream to regenerate the skin for topical application, has been transferred to Pharmamel SL, a Spin-off created by us and with international projection. Since its constitution in 1988, the CTS-101 Group has received numerous recognitions and awards for its trajectory, transfer, quality and publication citations, etc.

Research lines

Characterization of Coenzyme Q10-deficient mouse strains. Comprehensive study of the pathophysiological consequences of deficiency in this molecule, in order to explain the heterogeneity in clinical presentations.
Chronoinflammation and aging. Relationship between alteration of clock genes and mitochondrial dysfunction in aging. Preferential studies at the level of mitochondrial damage and prevention / recovery mechanisms of sarcopenia associated with frailty during aging
Zebrafish as a disease model for drug screening studies to identify new drugs. Identification of neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory molecules, and analysis of mitochondrial bioenergetics and phenotyping.
Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of Coenzyme Q10 deficiency. Characterization of mouse strains deficient in Coenzyme Q
Study of the biosynthetic pathway of Coenzyme Q10.
Evaluation of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of melatonin and synthetic analogues. Study in experimental models (Parkinson's, sepsis and aging) and in the human clinic: studies of mitochondrial dysfunction in these models and its translation to the human clinic through clinical trials.
Mechanisms to prevent resistance to chemo and radiotherapy. Protective role of melatonin and its endogenous metabolites in protection against damage induced by radio and chemotherapy: mainly studies at the level of mucositis, in irradiated rat models, evaluating different formulations for the topical and systemic application of melatonin and metabolites.
Melatonin and metabolites as new pharmacological tools in cancer.
Regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetics by melatonin. Mitochondria as a physiological and therapeutic target for melatonin. Intracellular signals in response to the action of melatonin: nuclear effects of melatonin, gene expression, mitochondrial genes and their effects on the nucleus-mitochondrial dialogue.
Treatment of primary and secondary mitochondrial diseases. Role of mitochondria in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases, cancer, diabetes, aging
Mechanisms to prevent metastasis: effects of melatonin
Peroxisomes and metabolic homeostasis

Research networks

CIBERFES - CB16/10/00238 - Biomedical Research Center Network for Frailty and Healthy Aging
CA15203 CA15203 - Mitochondrial mapping: Evolution - Age - Gender - Lifestyle – Environment (MITOEAGLE)

Keywords

melatonin; mitochondria; aging; Parkinson; Alzheimer's; sepsis; Cancer; mucositis; innate immunity; NLRP3 inflammasome; clock genes, chronodisruption.

Pablo Ranea Robles

ORCID

SERGIO LOPEZ HERRADOR

MARIA MARTIN ESTEBANE

ORCID

CARMEN JESSICA VENEGAS MALDONADO

SERGIO ANTONIO ESQUIVEL RUIZ

ORCID

LAURA JIMENEZ SANCHEZ

ELIANA BARRIOCANAL MARRIED

TOMAS BY HARO MUÑOZ

MARIA DEL LORD LOPEZ VELEZ

AGUSTIN HIDALGO GUTIERREZ

LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

LAURA MARTINEZ RUIZ

YOLANDA RAMIREZ CASAS

ORCID

ALBA RODRIGUEZ LOPEZ

ORCID

IRYNA RUSANOVA

PAULA ARANDA MARTINEZ

ELIANA BARRIOCANAL MARRIED

ORCID

ELENA DIAZ MARRIED

GERMAINE ESCAMES PINK

MARISOL FERNANDEZ ORTIZ

JOSE FERNANDEZ MARTINEZ

BEATRIZ IRENE FERNANDEZ GIL

ORCID

JAVIER FLORIDO RUIZ

PILAR GONZALEZ GARCIA

ANA GUERRA-LIBRAROS RITE

DARIO ACUNA CASTROVIEJO

ORCID

Inventors: JULIA CORRAL SARASA, SERGIO LÓPEZ HERRADOR, Mª ELENA DÍAZ CASADO, LUIS CARLOS LÓPEZ GARCÍA, LAURA JIMÉNEZ SÁNCHEZ AND PILAR GONZÁLEZ GARCÍA
TitleCOMPOUND TO STIMULATE MITOCHONDRIAL METABOLISM IN GAMETES AND EMBRYOS
Dress: P202430145
Application date: 28 / 02 / 2024

Inventors: ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO, PINK SCAMES
TitleINJECTABLE MELATONIN COMPOSITION FOR THE TREATMENT OF VIRAL DISEASES
Dress:PCT/ES2020/070234
Application date: 09 / 04 / 2020

Pesini, A; Barriocanal-Casado, E; Compagnoni, GM; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Yanez, G; Bakkali, M; Chhonker, YS; Kleiner, G; Larrea, D; Tadesse, S; Lopez, LC; Murry, DJ; DiFonzo, A; Area-Gomez, E; Quinzii, C.M.

Coenzyme Q10 deficiency disrupts lipid metabolism by altering cholesterol homeostasis in neurons

FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, 2025;

FI: 8,2; D1

Di Michele, M; Attina, A; Roux, P.F.; Tabet, I; Laguesse, S; Florido, J; Houdeville, M; Choquet, A; Encislai, B; Arena, G; De Blasio, C; Wendling, O; Frenois, FX; Papon, L; Stuani, L; Fuentes, M; Talignani, C.J.; Rousseau, M; Guegan, J; Buscail, Y; Dupre, P; Michaud, H.A.; Rodier, G; Bellvert, F; Kulyk, H; Peyret, CF; Mathieu, H; Close, P; Rapino, F; Chaveroux, C; Pirot, N; Rubio, L; Torro, A; Sorg, T; Ango, F; Hirtz, C; Compan, V; Lebigot, E; Legati, A; Ghezzi, D; Nguyen, L; David, A; Sardet, C; Lacroix, M; Le Cam, L

E4F1 coordinates pyruvate metabolism and the activity of the elongator complex to ensure translation fidelity during brain development

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 2025;

FI: 15,7; D1

Olmedo-Moreno, L; Panadero-Morón, C; Sierra-Párraga, JM; Bueno-Fernández, R; Norton, ES; Aguilera, Y; Mellado-Damas, N; García-Tárraga, P; Morales-Gallel, R; Antequera-Martínez, M; Durán, RV; Ferrer-Lozano, J; Escames, G; García-Verdugo, JM; Martin-Montalvo, A; Guerrero-Cázares, H; Capilla-González, V

Glioblastoma progression is hindered by melatoninprimed mesenchymal stromal cells through dynamic intracellular and extracellular reorganizations

THERANOSTICS, 2025;

FI: 13,3; D1

Gil, CRE; Lund, J; Zylicz, J.J. Ranea-Robles, P; Sorensen, TIA; Clemmensen, C.

Food insecurity promotes adiposity in mice

OBESITY, 2025;

FI: 4,7; Q1

Bender, A; Ranea-Robles, P; Williams, E.G.; Mirzaian, M; Heimel, J.A.; Levelt, C.N.; Wanders, R.J. Aerts, J.M.; Zhu, J; Auwerx, J; Houten, S.M.; Argmann, CA

A Multiomic Network Approach to Uncover Disease Modifying Mechanisms of Inborn Errors of Metabolism

JOURNAL OF INHERITED METABOLIC DISEASE, 2025;

FI: 3,8; Q2

Fernández-Martínez, J; Ramírez-Casas, Y; Aranda-Martínez, P; López-Rodríguez, A; Sayed, RKA; Escames, G; Acuña-Castroviejo, D

iMS-Bmal1-/- mice show evident signs of sarcopenia that are counteracted by exercise and melatonin therapies

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2024;

FI: 8,3; D1

Lund, C; Ranea-Robles, P; Falk, S; Rausch, DM; Skovbjerg, G; Vibe-Petersen, V.K.; Krauth, N; Skytte, J.L.; Vana, V; Roostalu, U; Pers, TH; Lund, J; Clemmensen, C.

Protection against overfeeding-induced weight gain is preserved in obesity but does not require FGF21 or MC4R

NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 2024;

FI: 14,7; D1

Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Shintaku, J; Ramon, J; Barriocanal-Casado, E; Pesini, A; Saneto, RP; Garrabou, G; Milisenda, JC; Matas-Garcia, A; Gort, L; Ugarteburu, O; Gu, Y; Koganti, L; Wang, T; Tadesse, S; Meneri, M; Sciacco, M; Wang, S; Tanji, K; Horwitz, M.S.; Dorschner, M.O.; Mansukhani, M; Comi, GP; Ronchi, D; Marti, R; Ribes, A; Tort, F; Hirano, M.

Guanylate Kinase 1 Deficiency: A Novel and Potentially Treatable Mitochondrial DNA Depletion/Deletions Disease

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, 2024;

FI: 8,1; D1

Qin, C.Y.; Gong, SS; Liang, T; Zhang, ZB; Thomas, J; Deng, J; Liu, Y.G. Hu, P.Q. Zhu, B; Song, S.J.; Ortiz, MF; Ikeno, Y; Wang, EX; Lechleiter, J; Weintraub, S.T.; Bai, Y.D.

HADHA Regulates Respiratory Complex Assembly and Couples FAO and OXPHOS

ADVANCED SCIENCE, 2024;

FI: 14,3; D1

de Andres, JL; Rodríguez-Santana, C; de Lara-Peña, L; Jiménez, G; Escames, G; Marchal, J.A.

A bioengineered tumor matrix-based scaffold for the evaluation of melatonin efficacy on head and neck squamous cancer stem cells

MATERIALS TODAY BIO, 2024;

FI: 8,7; D1

Mansilla-Roselló, A; Hernández-Magdalena, J; Domínguez-Basante, M; Olmedo-Martín, C; Comino-Pardo, A; Escames, G; Acuña-Castroviejo, D

A phase II, single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous melatonin in surgical patients with severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2023;

FI: 10,3; D1

Aranda-Martínez, P; Fernández-Martínez, J; Ramírez-Casas, Y; Rodríguez-Santana, C; Rusanova, I; Escames, G; Acuña-Castroviejo, D

Chronodisruption and Loss of Melatonin Rhythm, Associated with Alterations in Daily Motor Activity and Mitochondrial Dynamics in Parkinsonian Zebrafish, Are Corrected by Melatonin Treatment

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2023;

FI: 7; Q1

Rodríguez-Santana, C; López-Rodríguez, A; Martinez-Ruiz, L; Florido, J; Cela, O; Capitanio, N; Ramírez-Casas, Y; Acuña-Castroviejo, D; Escames, G

The Relationship between Clock Genes, Sirtuin 1, and Mitochondrial Activity in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: Effects of Melatonin Treatment

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, 2023;

FI: 5,6; Q1

Duisenbek, A; Lopez-Armas, GC; Pérez, M; Perez, MDA; Benitez, JMA; Pérez, VRP; Ortega, JG; Yessenbekova, A; Ablaikhanova, N; Escames, G; Acuña-Castroviejo, D; Rusanova, I

Insights into the Role of Plasmatic and Exosomal microRNAs in Oxidative Stress-Related Metabolic Diseases

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2023;

FI: 7; Q1

Martinez-Ruiz, L; López-Rodríguez, A; Florido, J; Rodríguez-Santana, C; Ferrer, JMR; Acuña-Castroviejo, D; Escames, G

Patient-derived tumor models in cancer research: Evaluation of the oncostatic effects of melatonin

BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY, 2023;

FI: 7,5; Q1

Zhu, Y.L.; Liu, Y.Q. Escames, G; Yang, Z; Zhao, H.D.; Qian, L; Xue, C.X.; Xu, D.N.; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Yang, Y

Deciphering clock genes as emerging targets against aging

AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS, 2022;

FI: 11,788; D1

Montes, P; Guerra-Bookseller, A; Garcia, P; Cornejo-Calvo, ME; Lopez, MD; de Haro, T; Martinez-Ruiz, L; Escames, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Effect of 5-Azacitidine Treatment on Redox Status and Inflammatory Condition in MDS Patients

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2022;

FI: 7,675; D1

Rodriguez-Carrillo, A; D'Cruz, S.C.; Mustieles, V; Suarez, B; Smagulova, F; Gives life; Hairstyle, F; Artacho-Cordon, F; Lopez, LC; Arrebola, JP; Olea, N; Fernandez, MF; Freire, C.

Exposure to non-persistent pesticides, BDNF, and behavioral function in adolescent males: Exploring a novel effect biomarker approach

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, 2022;

FI: 8,431; D1

Florido, J; Martinez-Ruiz, L; Rodriguez-Santana, C; Lopez-Rodriguez, A; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Cottet-Rousselle, C; Lamarche, F; Schlattner, U; Guerra-Bookseller, A; Aranda-Martinez, P; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Lopez, LC; Escames, G

Melatonin drives apoptosis in head and neck cancer by increasing mitochondrial ROS generated via reverse electron transport

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2022;

FI: 12,081; D1

Lopez-Armas, GC; Yessenbekova, A; Gonzalez-Castaneda, RE; Arellano-Arteaga, KJ; Guerra-Bookseller, A; Ablaikhanova, N; Florido, J; Escames, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Rusanova, I

Role of c-miR-21, c-miR-126, Redox Status, and Inflammatory Conditions as Potential Predictors of Vascular Damage in T2DM Patients

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2022;

FI: 7,675; D1

Gonzalez-Garcia, P; Barriocanal-Casado, E; Diaz-Casado, ME; Lopez-Herrador, S; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Lopez, L.C.

Animal Models of Coenzyme Q Deficiency: Mechanistic and Translational Learnings

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2021;

FI: 6,313; D1

Guerra-Librero, A; Fernandez-Gil, B.I.; Florido, J.; Martinez-Ruiz, L; Rodriguez-Santana, C; Shen, YQ; Garcia-Verdugo, JM; Lopez-Rodriguez, A; Rusanova, I; Quinones-Hinojosa, A; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Morocco, J; DeHaro, T.; Scales, G

Melatonin Targets Metabolism in Head and Neck Cancer Cells by Regulating Mitochondrial Structure and Function

ANTIOXIDANTS, 2021;

FI: 6,313; D1

Quinzii, CM; Lopez, L.C.

Abnormalities of hydrogen sulfide and glutathione pathways in mitochondrial dysfunction

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH, 2021;

FI: 10,479; Q1

Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Barriocanal-Casado, E; Diaz-Casado, ME; Gonzalez-Garcia, P; Chiozzi, RZ; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Lopez, L.C.

beta-RA Targets Mitochondrial Metabolism and Adipogenesis, Leading to Therapeutic Benefits against CoQ Deficiency and Age-Related Overweight

BIOMEDICINE, 2021;

FI: 6,081; Q1

Rahim, I; Sayed, R. K.; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Aranda-Martinez, P; Guerra-Librero, A; Fernandez-Martinez, J; Rusanova, I; Scales, G; Djerdjouri, B; Acuna-Castroviejo, D.

Melatonin alleviates sepsis-induced heart injury through activating the Nrf2 pathway and inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY, 2021;

FI: 3; Q3

Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Scales, G; Figueira, JC; de la Oliva, P; Borobia, AM; Acuna-Fernandez, C.

Clinical trial to test the efficacy of melatonin in COVID-19

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2020;

FI: 14,528; D1

Quinzii, CM; Lopez, L.C.

Abnormalities of hydrogen sulfide and glutathione pathways in mitochondrial dysfunction

JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH, 2020;

FI: 6,992; Q1

Gonzalez-Garcia, P; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Mascaraque, C; Barriocanal-Married, E; Bakkali, M; Ziosi, M; Abdihankyzy, UB; Sanchez-Hernandez, S; Scales, G; Prokisch, H; Martin, F; Quinzii, CM; Lopez, L.C.

Coenzyme Q10 modulates sulfide metabolism and links the mitochondrial respiratory chain to pathways associated with one carbon metabolism

HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS, 2020;

FI: 5,101; Q1

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Its Neuroinvasive Capacity: Is It Time for Melatonin?

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, 2020;

FI: 3,606; Q2

Rodriguez-Rubio, M; Figueira, JC; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Borobia, AM; Scales, G; de la Oliva, P.

A phase II, single-center, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial to explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous melatonin in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (MelCOVID study): a structured summary of a study protocol

TRIALS, 2020;

FI: 1,883; Q3

Barriocanal-Married, E; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Raymond, N; Gonzalez-Garcia, P; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Scales, G; Lopez, L.C.

Rapamycin administration is not a valid therapeutic strategy for every case of mitochondrial disease

EBIOMEDICINE, 2019;

FI: 6,68; D1

Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Barriocanal-Married, E; Bakkali, M; Diaz-Casado, ME; Sanchez-Maldonado, L; Romero, M; Sayed, R.K.; Prehn, C; Scales, G; Duarte, J; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Lopez, L.C.

beta-RA reduces DMQ / CoQ ratio and rescues the encephalopathic phenotype in Coq9 (R239X) mice

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 2019;

FI: 10,624; D1

Sayed, RKA; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Diaz-Casado, ME; Aranda-Martinez, P; Fernandez-Martinez, J; War-Library, A; Scales, G; Lopez, LC; Alsaadawy, R.M.; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Lack of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation Reduces Age-Dependent Sarcopenia and Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Favoring the Prophylactic Effect of Melatonin

JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2019;

FI: 4,711; D1

Cross, MME; Miyazawa, M; Manfredini, R; Cardinali, D; Madrid, J.A.; Reiter, R; Araujo, JF; Agostinho, R; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Impact of Daylight Saving Time on circadian timing system: An expert statement

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2019;

FI: 3,66; Q1

Sayed, RKA; Mokhtar, D.M.; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Scales, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor alpha (ROR alpha) -deficient mice display morphological testicular defects

LABORATORY RESEARCH, 2019;

FI: 3,684; Q1

Sayed, RKA; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Diaz-Casado, ME; Rusanova, I; Rahim, I; Scales, G; Lopez, LC; Mokhtar, D.M.; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

The Protective Effect of Melatonin Against Age-Associated, Sarcopenia-Dependent Tubular Aggregate Formation, Lactate Depletion, and Mitochondrial Changes

JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES A-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2018;

FI: 4,902; D1

Shen, YQ; Guerra-Librero, A; Fernandez-Gil, BI; Florido, J; Garcia-Lopez, S; Martinez-Ruiz, L; Mendivil-Perez, M; Soto-Mercado, V; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Ortega-Arellano, H; Carriel, V; Diaz-Casado, ME; Reiter, RJ; Rusanova, I; Nieto, A; Lopez, LC; Scales, G

Combination of melatonin and rapamycin for head and neck cancer therapy: Suppression of AKT / mTOR pathway activation, and activation of mitophagy and apoptosis via mitochondrial function regulation

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2018;

FI: 11,613; D1

Sanchez-Rodriguez, J.A.; Navas, L; Vinuesa, FM; Castells, C; Martinez, MA; Lopez, A; Lindez, B; Cabrera-Vique, C.

New insights on the risk factors associated with the presence of Salmonella on pig carcasses. Lessons from small slaughterhouses

FOOD CONTROL, 2018;

FI: 3,667; D1

Bermejo, J; Yotti, R; Garcia-Orta, R; Sanchez-Fernandez, PL; Castano, M; Segovia-Cubero, J; Escribano-Subias, P; San Roman, JA; Borras, X; Alonso-Gomez, A; Boots, J; Crespo-Leiro, MG; Velasco, S; Bayes-Genis, A; Lopez, A; Munoz-Aguilera, R; de Teresa, E; Gonzalez-Juanatey, JR; Evangelista, A; Mombiela, T; Gonzalez-Mansilla, A; Elizaga, J; Martin-Moreiras, J; Gonzalez-Santos, JM; Moreno-Escobar, E; Fernandez-Aviles, F

Sildenafil for improving outcomes in patients with corrected valvular heart disease and persistent pulmonary hypertension: a multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial

EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL, 2018;

FI: 23,425; D1

Wang, Z; Hu, W; Lu, CX; Ma, ZQ; Jiang, S; Gu, CH; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Yang, Y.

Targeting NLRP3 (Nucleotide-Binding Domain, Leucine-Rich-Containing Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing-3) Inflammasome in Cardiovascular Disorders

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY, 2018;

FI: 6,086; D1

Luna-Sanchez, M; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Hildebrandt, TM; Chaves-Serrano, J; Barriocanal-Married, E; Santos-Fandila, A; Romero, M; Sayed, RKA; Duarte, J; Prokisch, H; Schuelke, M; Distelmaier, F; Scales, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Lopez, L.C.

CoQ deficiency causes disruption of mitochondrial sulfide oxidation, a new pathomechanism associated with this syndrome

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 2017;

FI: 9,249; D1

Mendivil-Perez, M; Soto-Mercado, V; Guerra-Librero, A; Fernandez-Gil, BI; Florido, J; Shen, YQ; Tejada, MA; Capilla-Gonzalez, V; Rusanova, I; Garcia-Verdugo, JM; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Lopez, LC; Velez-Pardo, C; Jimenez-Del-Rio, M; Ferrer, JM; Scales, G

Melatonin enhances neural stem cell differentiation and engraftment by increasing mitochondrial function

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2017;

FI: 10,391; D1

Rahim, I; Djerdjouri, B; Sayed, R.K.; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Fernandez-Gil, B; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Lopez, LC; Scales, G; Reiter, R.J.; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Melatonin administration to wild-type mice and nontreated NLRP3 mutant mice share similar inhibition of the inflammatory response during sepsis.

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2017;

FI: 10,391; D1

Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Rahim, I; Acuna-Fernandez, C; Fernandez-Ortiz, M; Solera-Marin, J; Sayed, RKA; Diaz-Casado, ME; Rusanova, I; Lopez, LC; Scales, G

Melatonin, clock genes and mitochondria in sepsis

CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES, 2017;

FI: 5,788; Q1

Fernandez, B; Moneim, AEA; Ortiz, F; Shen, YQ; Soto-Mercado, V; Mendivil-Perez, M; Guerra-Librero, A; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Molina-Navarro, MM; Garcia-Verdugo, JM; Sayed, RKA; Florido, J; Luna, JD; Lopez, LC; Scales, G

Melatonin protects rats from radiotherapy-induced small intestinal toxicity

PLOSONE, 2017;

FI: 2,806; Q1

Diaz-Casado, ME; Lima, E; Garcia, J.A.; Doerrier, C; Aranda, P; Sayed, RKA; War-Library, A; Germain, E; Lopez, LC; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Melatonin rescues zebrafish embryos from the parkinsonian phenotype restoring the parkin / PINK1 / DJ-1 / MUL1 network

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2016;

FI: 9,314; D1

Volt, H.; Garcia, J.A.; Doerrier, C; Diaz-Casado, ME; War-Library, A; Lopez, LC; Scales, G; Tresguerres, JA; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Same molecule but different expression: aging and sepsis trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation, a target of melatonin

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2016;

FI: 9,314; D1

Sayed, RKA; de Leonardis, EC; Guerrero-Martinez, JA; Rahim, I; Mokhtar, DM; Saleh, AM; Abdalla, KEH; Well, MJ; Escames, G; Lopez, LC; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Identification of morphological markers of sarcopenia at early stage of aging in skeletal muscle of mice.

EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY, 2016;

FI: 3,35; Q1

Barriocanal-Married, E; Cueto-Urena, C; Benabdellah, K; Gutierrez-Guerrero, A; Cobo, M; Hidalgo-Gutierrez, A; Rodriguez-Sevilla, JJ; Martin, F; Lopez, L.C.

Gene Therapy Corrects Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells and Fibroblasts from Coq9 (R239X) Mice

PLOSONE, 2016;

FI: 3,057; Q1

Puig, A; Rancan, L; Paredes, SD; Carrasco, A; Escames, G; Rod, E; Tresguerres, JAF

Melatonin decreases the expression of inflammation and apoptosis markers in the lung of a senescence-accelerated mice model.

EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY, 2016;

FI: 3,35; Q1

Garcia, J.A.; Volt, H.; Venegas, C; Doerrier, C; Scales, G; Lopez, LC; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

Disruption of the NF-kappa B / NLRP3 connection by melatonin requires retinoid-related orphan receptor-alpha and blocks the septic response in mice

FASEB JOURNAL, 2015;

FI: 5,043; D1

Ortiz, F; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Doerrier, C; Dayoub, JC; Lopez, LC; Venegas, C; Garcia, JA; Lopez, A; Volt, H; Luna-Sanchez, M; Scales, G

Melatonin blunts the mitochondrial / NLRP3 connection and protects against radiation-induced oral mucositis

JOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, 2015;

FI: 9,6; D1

Luna-Sanchez, M; Diaz-Casado, E; Barca, E; Tejada, MA; Montilla-Garcia, A; Cobos, EJ; Scales, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Quinzii, CM; Lopez, L.C.

The clinical heterogeneity of coenzyme Q (10) deficiency results from genotypic differences in the Coq9 gene

EMBO MOLECULAR MEDICINE, 2015;

FI: 8,665; D1

Moneim, AEA; Ortiz, F; Leonardo-Mendonca, RC; Vergano-Villodres, R; Guerrero-Martinez, JA; Lopez, LC; Acuna-Castroviejo, D; Scales, G

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative damage induced by Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) crude venom in rats

TROPICAL ACT, 2015;

FI: 2,27; Q1

Leonardo-Mendonca, RC; Martinez-Nicolas, A; Galvan, CD; Ocana-Wilhelmi, J; Rusanova, I; Guerra-Hernandez, E; Scales, G; Acuna-Castroviejo, D

The benefits of four weeks of melatonin treatment on circadian patterns in resistance-trained athletes

CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, 2015;

FI: 3,343; Q1

TheraPurine: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for mtDNA Depletion/Deletion Syndromes Linked to Purine Nucleotide Metabolism.

Funder: MINISTRY OF HEALTH, PRESIDENCY AND EMERGENCIES

File number: PI-0144-2025

Execution time: 25/11/2025 - 25/11/2028

IP: AGUSTIN HIDALGO GUTIERREZ

Drug therapy for mitochondrial DNA depletion/deletion syndrome due to a novel purine nucleotide metabolism defect

Funder: SPANISH FEDERATION OF RARE DISEASES

File number: AI-2024-065

Execution time: 08/08/2025 - 07/02/2027

IP: AGUSTIN HIDALGO GUTIERREZ

Exploratory study on tissue levels of Coenzyme Q and its relationship with alterations in female reproductive health

Funder: FIBAO Foundation

File number: MP_PI04_2025

Execution time: 21/01/2026 - 31/01/2027

IP: ELIANA BARRIOCANAL CASADO

Identification of new therapeutic tools for the treatment of disorders in mitochondrial sulfur metabolism

Funder: HEALTH AND CONSUMPTION COUNCIL

File number: AI-2024-047 Laura Jimenez

Execution time: 01/06/2025 - 30/11/2026

IP: LAURA JIMENEZ SANCHEZ

Mitochondria and exo-miRNAs, therapeutic targets for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes

Funder: UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA

File number: C-CTS-094-EGR23

Execution time: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2026

IP: IRYNA RUSANOVA

Study of circulating microRNAs and parameters of oxidative stress and inflammation as biomarkers in basal cell carcinoma

Funder: PUBLIC FOUNDATION FOR BIOSANITARY RESEARCH OF ORIENTAL ANDALUCIA ALEJANDRO OTERO (FIBAO)

File number: INTRAIBS-2022-02

Execution time: 20/01/2023 - 30/06/2024

IP: ANA GUERRA-RITE BOOKSELLERS

Studies of cell death mechanisms and evaluation of new therapeutic targets in genetic models of Coenzyme Q deficiencies (CoQDeath)

Funder: UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA

File number: C-CTS-042-UGR23

Execution time: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2025

IP: ELENA DIAZ MARRIED

Evaluation of exosomal microRNAs as markers and mediators of Melatonin/CoQ10/Ibedenone therapy for Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (MT-EXO-DIABET).

Funder: UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA

File number: PP2023.PP.62

Execution time: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2024

IP: IRYNA RUSANOVA

Deciphering the mechanisms of action of hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives in mitochondria: implications for the treatment of rare and common diseases

Funder: COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, INDUSTRY, KNOWLEDGE AND UNIVERSITIES

File number: PY20_00134

Execution time: 04/10/2021 - 30/06/2023

PI: LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

Evaluation of pharmacological treatments with high translational potential in new models of mitochondrial diseases (MitoFarma)

Funder: COUNCIL OF HEALTH AND FAMILIES

File number: PEER-0083-2020

Execution time: 28/10/2021 - 27/10/2023

PI: LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

Preclinical study of different melatonin formulations to prevent drug resistance associated with overexpression of ATP-dependent flow pumps.

Funder: STATE RESEARCH AGENCY

File number: PID2020-115112RB-I00

Execution time: 01/09/2021 - 31/08/2024

PI: GERMAINE ESCAMES ROSA

Gene therapy strategies for mitochondrial encephalopathies

Funder: UNIVERSITY OF GRANADA

File number: B-CTS-82-UGR20

Execution time: 01/07/2021 - 30/06/2023

PI: LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

New therapeutic strategy to avoid resistance to chemo and / or radiotherapy associated with mitochondrial function: Evaluation of different melatonin formulations

Funder: COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, INDUSTRY, KNOWLEDGE AND UNIVERSITIES

File number: P18-RT-3222

Execution time: 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2022

PI: GERMAINE ESCAMES ROSA

Analysis of the connection between clock genes, melatonin and mitochondria in the parkinson's model in zebrafish.

Funder: COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION, INDUSTRY, KNOWLEDGE AND UNIVERSITIES

File number: P18-RT-698

Execution time: 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2022

PI: DARIO ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO

CB16 / 10/00238 CIBER DARÍO ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO

Funder: CARLOS III HEALTH INSTITUTE - FEDER

File number: CB16 / 10/00238

Execution time: 01/01/2017 - 31/12/2018

PI: DARIO ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO

The connection between clock genes, melatonin and mitochondria in sarcopenia.

Funder: CARLOS III HEALTH INSTITUTE - FEDER

File number: PI19 / 01372

Execution time: 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2022

PI: DARIO ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO

Treatment of deficiencies in Coenzyme Q: therapeutic potential of biosynthetic precursors and importance of endocrine interactions

Funder: MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, INNOVATION AND UNIVERSITIES

File number: RTI2018-093503-B-I00

Execution time: 01/01/2019 - 31/12/2022

PI: LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

MDA USA - New therapeutic molecules for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases

Funder: MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION - USA

File number: MDA602322

Execution time: 01/02/2019 - 31/01/2022

PI: LUIS CARLOS LOPEZ GARCIA

Phase II, single-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to explore the efficacy and safety of IV melatonin in patients with Covid-19 admitted to the ICU (melcovid study).

Financer: PhRMAMEL SL

Type of test: COMMERCIAL CLINICAL TRIAL

Execution time: 15/08/2020 - 06/02/2021

PI: DARIO ACUÑA CASTROVIEJO