Introduction:
Melatonin is a
neurohormone, synthesized mainly in the
pineal gland, which regulates the
circadian rhythm.
Objective:
To describe the neuroimmunological actions produced by
melatonin.
Methods:
A
review on the subject was carried out using articles of free access in the
Pubmed database from 2015 to January 2019.
Discussion:
The effects of
melatonin on the wake-
sleep cycle are known. Recently it has been shown that this
neurohormone can modulate the
immune response and reduce seizures in autoimmune and rheumatologic
diseases. It induces the pattern of
regulatory T lymphocytes and immunomodulatory
cytokines maintaining the
homeostasis of the internal
environment. In the
Central Nervous System inhibits the formation of
free radicals, has
antioxidant functions and can slow neurodegenerative processes. In the
peripheral nerves decreases
oxidative stress and cellular
apoptosis. There are
drugs that use
melatonin as an active ingredient for its beneficial effects. In
Cuba, only the
history of a
publication on this
hormone is collected.
Conclusions:
Melatonin can be a very useful
element in the management of inflammatory and neurological
diseases(AU)