Melatonin may decrease risk for and aid treatment of COVID-19 and other RNA viral infections.
Open Heart
; 8(1)2021 03.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1143081
ABSTRACT
A recent retrospective study has provided evidence that COVID-19 infection may be notably less common in those using supplemental melatonin. It is suggested that this phenomenon may reflect the fact that, via induction of silent information regulator 1 (Sirt1), melatonin can upregulate K63 polyubiquitination of the mitochondrial antiviral-signalling protein, thereby boosting virally mediated induction of type 1 interferons. Moreover, Sirt1 may enhance the antiviral efficacy of type 1 interferons by preventing hyperacetylation of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), enabling its retention in the nucleus, where it promotes transcription of interferon-inducible genes. This nuclear retention of HMGB1 may also be a mediator of the anti-inflammatory effect of melatonin therapy in COVID-19-complementing melatonin's suppression of nuclear factor kappa B activity and upregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2. If these speculations are correct, a nutraceutical regimen including vitamin D, zinc and melatonin supplementation may have general utility for the prevention and treatment of RNA virus infections, such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
RNA Virus Infections
/
COVID-19 Drug Treatment
/
Melatonin
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Openhrt-2020-001568
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS