Immunoregulatory action of melatonin. The mechanism of action and the effect on inflammatory cells
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2016, Vol 70, Issue
Abstract
Literature data indicate a significant immunoregulatory role of melatonin. Melatonin exerts an effect directly affecting leucocytes bearing specific melatonin receptors or indirectly by means of melatonin regulating other hormones, opioids or cytokines. Despite numerous experiments, the influence of the hormone on the immune system is still controversial. Melatonin affects the immune response acting as both an activator and an inhibitor of the inflammatory process. The hormone acts as an “immunological buffer” activating impaired immunity in immunosuppression, chronic stress or old age as well as suppressing overreaction of the immune system. Melatonin mediates between neurohormonal and immune systems by means of the immune-pineal axis acting as a negative feedback mechanism. The axis connects development of the immune reaction with pineal activity and melatonin secretion induced by inflammatory mediators. The seasonal and circadian fluctuation of the melatonin level and the fluctuation related changes of the immune parameters can be responsible for some autoimmune and infectious diseases. In spite of that, there is a growing number of papers suggesting considerable therapeutic potential of melatonin in inflammatory disease treatment. This paper presents well-systematized information on the mechanism of melatonin action and its influence on cells involved in the inflammatory process – neutrophils and monocytes.
Authors and Affiliations
Sylwia Mańka, Ewa Majewska
Analysis of the influence of hormone replacement therapy on TNF-alpha serum levels in menopausal women
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate and compare levels of TNF-α in serum of menopausal women treated and not treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Design: The study was designed to verify whether...
Sposób odżywiania jako czynnik ryzyka zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy
Czynniki żywieniowe odgrywają ważną rolę w rozwoju różnych chorób metabolicznych. Wywiad w kierunku wola guzkowego lub wola miąższowego jest ściśle związany ze zwiększonym ryzykiem rozwoju zróżnicowanego raka tarczycy (Z...
Bakterie komensalne a odporność układu pokarmowego, oddechowego i moczowo-płciowego
Bakterie komensalne to mikroorganizmy, które występują m.in. w układzie pokarmowym, oddechowym i moczowo-płciowym. Nie wykazują cech patogenności, a oddziaływając na układ odpornościowy i metabolizm makroorganizmu „tworz...
Stężenie karnityny w surowicy jest obniżone u pacjentów chorych na boreliozę z Lyme
Cotinine – metabolism, application as a biomarker and the effects on the organism
This review presents the current state of knowledge on cotinine, the major metabolite of nicotine. Special attention is paid to the formation of this compound in the organism, its metabolism, application in diagnostic pr...