Document Detail


Physiology and pharmacology of melatonin in relation to biological rhythms.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19605939     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Melatonin is an evolutionarily conserved molecule that serves a time-keeping function in various species. In vertebrates, melatonin is produced predominantly by the pineal gland with a marked circadian rhythm that is governed by the central circadian pacemaker (biological clock) in the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus. High levels of melatonin are normally found at night, and low levels are seen during daylight hours. As a consequence, melatonin has been called the "darkness hormone". This review surveys the current state of knowledge regarding the regulation of melatonin synthesis, receptor expression, and function. In particular, it addresses the physiological, pathological, and therapeutic aspects of melatonin in humans, with an emphasis on biological rhythms.
Authors:
Jolanta B Zawilska; Debra J Skene; Josephine Arendt
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pharmacological reports : PR     Volume:  61     ISSN:  1734-1140     ISO Abbreviation:  Pharmacol Rep     Publication Date:    2009 May-Jun
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-07-16     Completed Date:  2009-11-30     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101234999     Medline TA:  Pharmacol Rep     Country:  Poland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  383-410     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Łódź, Muszyńskiego 1, PL 90-151 Łódź, Poland. jolanta.zawilska@umed.lodz.pl
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase / physiology
Circadian Rhythm / drug effects*,  physiology*
Depression / drug therapy,  physiopathology
Humans
Light Signal Transduction
Melatonin / biosynthesis,  pharmacology*,  physiology*,  therapeutic use
Molecular Structure
Photoperiod
Pineal Gland / physiology*,  physiopathology
Receptors, Melatonin / agonists,  antagonists & inhibitors,  classification,  metabolism
Seasons
Sleep Disorders / drug therapy,  physiopathology
Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / metabolism,  physiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Receptors, Melatonin; 73-31-4/Melatonin; EC 2.3.1.87/Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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