TY - JOUR
T1 - Melatonin as an antioxidant
T2 - Biochemical mechanisms and pathophysiological implications in humans
AU - Reiter, Russel J.
AU - Tan, Dun Xian
AU - Mayo, Juan C.
AU - Sainz, Rosa M.
AU - Leon, Josefa
AU - Czarnocki, Zbigniew
PY - 2003
Y1 - 2003
N2 - This brief resume enumerates the multiple actions of melatonin as an antioxidant. This indoleamine is produced in the vertebrate pineal gland, the retina and possibly some other organs. Additionally, however, it is found in invertebrates, bacteria, unicellular organisms as well as in plants, all of which do not have a pineal gland. Melatonin's functions as an antioxidant include: a), direct free radical scavenging, b), stimulation of antioxidative enzymes, c), increasing the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and reducing electron leakage (thereby lowering free radical generation), and 3), augmenting the efficiency of other antioxidants. There may be other functions of melatonin, yet undiscovered, which enhance its ability to protect against molecular damage by oxygen and nitrogen-based toxic reactants. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have documented the ability of both physiological and pharmacological concentrations to melatonin to protect against free radical destruction. Furthermore, clinical tests utilizing melatonin have proven highly successful; because of the positive outcomes of these studies, melatonin's use in disease states and processes where free radical damage is involved should be increased.
AB - This brief resume enumerates the multiple actions of melatonin as an antioxidant. This indoleamine is produced in the vertebrate pineal gland, the retina and possibly some other organs. Additionally, however, it is found in invertebrates, bacteria, unicellular organisms as well as in plants, all of which do not have a pineal gland. Melatonin's functions as an antioxidant include: a), direct free radical scavenging, b), stimulation of antioxidative enzymes, c), increasing the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and reducing electron leakage (thereby lowering free radical generation), and 3), augmenting the efficiency of other antioxidants. There may be other functions of melatonin, yet undiscovered, which enhance its ability to protect against molecular damage by oxygen and nitrogen-based toxic reactants. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have documented the ability of both physiological and pharmacological concentrations to melatonin to protect against free radical destruction. Furthermore, clinical tests utilizing melatonin have proven highly successful; because of the positive outcomes of these studies, melatonin's use in disease states and processes where free radical damage is involved should be increased.
KW - Antioxidant
KW - Antioxidant enzymes
KW - Free radicals
KW - Melatonin
KW - Neurodegeneration
KW - Respiratory distress
KW - Sepsis
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U2 - 10.18388/abp.2003_3637
DO - 10.18388/abp.2003_3637
M3 - Review article
C2 - 14740000
AN - SCOPUS:2342535627
SN - 0001-527X
VL - 50
SP - 1129
EP - 1146
JO - Acta Biochimica Polonica
JF - Acta Biochimica Polonica
IS - 4
ER -