Melatonin: The Antioxidant Power Of Darkness

Abstract

Oxidative stress in biological systems resulting from the overproduction of free radicals is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The organism defends itself by agents called antioxidants against oxidative damage by free radicals, which show prooxidant activity. Melatonin (MEL), the chief secretory product of the pineal gland, has been shown to have in vivo and in vitro antioxidant effects other than endocrine and biological functions. Moreover, MEL is considered the most powerful antioxidant (among the others), therefore there is growing interest to MEL and also evidence showing the importance of its antioxidant action. In the present review, the antioxidative properties of MEL along with its synthesis and biological effects as well as its clinical importance are described

Keywords

• Oxidative stress, free radical, melatonin, antioxidant action

MELATONİN: KARANLIĞIN ANTİOKSİDAN GÜCÜ

Abstract

Biyolojik sistemlerde prooksidan/antioksidan dengenin bozulmasıyla oluşan oksidatif stres, birçok patolojik durumla ilişkilendirilmektedir. Organizma, prooksidan etki gösteren serbest radikallerin hasarına karşı, antioksidan adı verilen ajanlarla kendini savunur. Pineal bezin başlıca salgısı olan melatoninin (MEL) endokrin ve sirkadiyen ritm üzerine bilinen etkilerinden başka, in vivo ve in vitro antioksidan etkiye de sahip olduğu gösterilmiştir. Hatta, antioksidanlar içerisinde, MEL’in en güçlü radikal tutucu olduğu öne sürüldüğünden, MEL’e olan ilgi giderek artmakta ve antioksidan özelliği gün geçtikçe önem kazanmaktadır. Bu derlemede MEL’in sentezi ve biyolojik etkilerinin yanı sıra antioksidan özellikleri ile ilgili çalışmalar değerlendirilerek klinik önemi tartışılmıştır

Keywords

• Oksidatif stres, serbest radikal, melatonin, antioksidan etki

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