Abstract
In this paper we review the historical milestones that first highlighted the existence of a relationship between melatonin and the immune system and we summarize data from experiments which correlate the rhythmic production of melatonin with the rhythmic activity of the immune system. The effects of pinealectomy and in vivo administration of melatonin on a variety of immune parameters, including specific and non-specific immunity are considered and we also present contradictory data concerning the effect of melatonin in cultured immunocompetent cells and a possible scheme of how melatonin regulates the production of a number of cytokines. Finally, the mechanism of action of melatonin in the immune system is discussed. Many data suggest the existence of both nuclear and membrane receptors for melatonin in the immune system. Both of these appear to be clearly identified but their specific physiological role is still under discussion. In summary, although there is overwhelming information demonstrat ing the immunoenhancing properties of melatonin, many questions related to the cytokines involved and the mechanisms of action of the indoleamine require answers.
Keywords: Melatonin-Immune, interferon-gamma, immunostimulated macrophages, forskolin-stimulated
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Melatonin-Immune System Relationships
Volume: 2 Issue: 2
Author(s): Juan M. Guerrero and Russel J. Reiter
Affiliation:
Keywords: Melatonin-Immune, interferon-gamma, immunostimulated macrophages, forskolin-stimulated
Abstract: In this paper we review the historical milestones that first highlighted the existence of a relationship between melatonin and the immune system and we summarize data from experiments which correlate the rhythmic production of melatonin with the rhythmic activity of the immune system. The effects of pinealectomy and in vivo administration of melatonin on a variety of immune parameters, including specific and non-specific immunity are considered and we also present contradictory data concerning the effect of melatonin in cultured immunocompetent cells and a possible scheme of how melatonin regulates the production of a number of cytokines. Finally, the mechanism of action of melatonin in the immune system is discussed. Many data suggest the existence of both nuclear and membrane receptors for melatonin in the immune system. Both of these appear to be clearly identified but their specific physiological role is still under discussion. In summary, although there is overwhelming information demonstrat ing the immunoenhancing properties of melatonin, many questions related to the cytokines involved and the mechanisms of action of the indoleamine require answers.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Guerrero M. Juan and Reiter J. Russel, Melatonin-Immune System Relationships, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2002; 2 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023394335
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568026023394335 |
Print ISSN 1568-0266 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4294 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Chemistry Based on Natural Products for Therapeutic Purposes
The development of new pharmaceuticals for a wide range of medical conditions has long relied on the identification of promising natural products (NPs). There are over sixty percent of cancer, infectious illness, and CNS disease medications that include an NP pharmacophore, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Since NP ...read more
Current Trends in Drug Discovery Based on Artificial Intelligence and Computer-Aided Drug Design
Drug development discovery has faced several challenges over the years. In fact, the evolution of classical approaches to modern methods using computational methods, or Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD), has shown promising and essential results in any drug discovery campaign. Among these methods, molecular docking is one of the most notable ...read more
Drug Discovery in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), we have witnessed a significant boom in AI techniques for drug discovery. AI techniques are increasingly integrated and accelerating the drug discovery process. These developments have not only attracted the attention of academia and industry but also raised important questions regarding the selection ...read more
From Biodiversity to Chemical Diversity: Focus of Flavonoids
Flavonoids are the largest group of polyphenols, plant secondary metabolites arising from the essential aromatic amino acid phenylalanine (or more rarely from tyrosine) via the phenylpropanoid pathway. The flavan nucleus is the basic 15-carbon skeleton of flavonoids (C6-C3-C6), which consists of two phenyl rings (A and B) and a heterocyclic ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Extrahepatic Targets and Cellular Reactivity of Drug Metabolites
Current Medicinal Chemistry Synthetic Peptide Mimics of the Bowman-Birk Inhibitor Protein
Current Medicinal Chemistry Experimental Therapy for Lung Cancer: Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Interleukin-24 Delivery
Current Cancer Drug Targets Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Prediction of New Structures by Comparative Analysis
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Intestinal Permeability as a Clinical Surrogate Endpoint in the Development of Future Crohn's Disease Therapies
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery PEDF in Angiogenic Eye Diseases
Current Molecular Medicine The Mechanism of Carvedilol in Experimental Viral Myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Hypersensitivity to Hymenoptera Venom: Advances in Diagnosis and Implications for Treatment
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery New Methods of Prevention and Treatment of Allergic Diseases
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Pentoxifylline Use in Dermatology
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) From Raynaud’s Phenomenon to Very Early Diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis- The VEDOSS approach
Current Rheumatology Reviews Formulation and Evaluation of Isradipine Nanosuspension and Exploring its Role as a Potential Anticancer Drug by Computational Approach
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Target-oriented Mechanisms of Novel Herbal Therapeutics in the Chemotherapy of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Facile Synthesis of Pyrazole Encompassing Pyridyl Oxadiazoles Using Conventional and Microwave Techniques
Current Organic Chemistry Stability-Indicating Methods for NSAIDs in Topical Formulations and Photoprotection in Host-Guest Matrices
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-angiogenic Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Current Issues and Future Aims
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Chloroquine: An Old Drug with New Perspective Against Giardiasis
Recent Patents on Anti-Infective Drug Discovery Life or Death? A Physiogenomic Approach to Understand Individual Variation in Responses to Hemorrhagic Shock
Current Genomics Cardiovascular Toxicity from the Perspective of Oxidative Stress, Electron Transfer, and Prevention by Antioxidants
Current Vascular Pharmacology Oxidative Stress and Amyloid Beta Toxicity in Alzheimer’s Disease: Intervention in a Complex Relationship by Antioxidants
Current Medicinal Chemistry