Protective role of melatonin in mitochondrial dysfunction and related disorders

摘要: Mitochondria are the powerhouse of eukaryotic cell through their use oxidative phosphorylation to generate ATP. Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered an important contributing factor in a variety physiopathological situations such as aging, heart ischemia/reperfusion injury, diabetes and several neurodegenerative cardiovascular diseases, well death. Increased formation reactive oxygen species, altered respiratory chain complexes activity opening mitochondrial permeability transition pore have been suggested possible factors responsible for impaired function. Therefore, preventing could be effective therapeutic strategy against cellular degenerative processes. Cardiolipin unique phospholipid located at level inner membrane where it plays role bioenergetics, abnormalities associated with pathological conditions aging. Melatonin, major secretory product pineal gland, well-known antioxidant agent thus protector bioenergetic Melatonin was reported prevent from damage by preserving cardiolipin integrity, this may explain, least part, beneficial effect compound physiopathology. In article, mechanisms which melatonin exerts its protective related disorders reviewed.