Advances in Characterizing Recently-Identified Molecular Actions of Melatonin: Clinical Implications

摘要: Melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxy-tryptamine, was discovered to be a product of serotonin metabolism in the mammalian pineal gland where its synthesis is under control light:dark cycle. Besides regulatory pathway involving ganglion cells retina, neural connections between eyes and include master circadian clock, suprachiasmatic nuclei, central peripheral nervous systems. Since melatonin released into blood cerebrospinal fluid, it has access every cell an organism mediates system-wide effects. Subsequently, found several extrapineal organs and, more recently, perhaps organ. In contrast pinealocytes, non-pineal do not discharge blood; rather used locally intracrine, autocrine, or paracrine manner. Melatonin levels exhibit rhythm depend on circulating concentrations although when animals are treated with exogenous taken up by presumably all cells. Mitochondria presumed site cells; enzymatic machinery for been identified mitochondria. The association mitochondria, because ability inhibit oxidative stress, very fortuitous since these organelles major damaging reactive oxygen species generation. this review, some actions non-pineal-derived discussed terms cellular subcellular physiology.