Melatonin in Humans
Abstract
Three centuries ago, the French philosopher René Descartes described the pineal gland as “the seat of the soul,” but it was not until the late 1950s that melatonin, the principal substance secreted by the pineal gland, was identified.1 There is now evidence that melatonin may have a role in the biologic regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, and perhaps reproduction, tumor growth, and aging (Table 1). However, uncertainties and doubts still surround the role of melatonin in human physiology and pathophysiology. This review summarizes current knowledge about melatonin in humans and its clinical implications.Physiology and PharmacologyIn humans, the . . .
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Melatonin has been linked to improved sleep, prevention of jet lag, enhanced immune response, antioxidant actions, and prevention of tumour growth.
“Melatonin has been linked to improved sleep, prevention of jet lag, enhanced immune response, antioxidant actions, and prevention of tumour growth (Brzezinski, 1997).”
From Melatonin attenuates the sympathetic nerve responses to orthostatic stress in humans (2003) · cites this paper as Brzezinski, 1997
The plasma melatonin levels observed in this study are unphysiological compared to peak normal physiological levels of 60 pg ml−1.
“The plasma levels observed in this study are certainly unphysiological (1830 pg ml−1) as compared to peak normal physiological levels 60 pg ml−1 (Brzezinski, 1997).”
From Melatonin attenuates the sympathetic nerve responses to orthostatic stress in humans (2003) · cites this paper as Brzezinski, 1997
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- Authors
- Brzezinski, A.
- Affiliations
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Brzezinski, Amnon
- ORCID
- Brzezinski, Amnon
- Venue
- New England Journal of Medicine
- Publisher
- Massachusetts Medical Society
- Published
- 1997-01-16
- Volume
- 336
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 186-195
- ISSN
- 0028-4793 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-4406
- OpenAlex
- W2323516874
- Cited by
- 1,549
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 18 · 2025: 37 · 2024: 37 · 2023: 44 · 2022: 58 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 70 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 55 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 65 · 2014: 75 · 2013: 58 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 8.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- New England Journal of Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Keywords
- melatonin, pineal gland, circadian rhythm, sleep regulation, mood, reproduction, tumor growth, aging, clinical implications
- MeSH terms
- Aging, Animals, Circadian Rhythm, Female, Humans, Male, Melatonin, Neoplasms, Pineal Gland, Puberty, Receptors, Cell Surface, Reproduction, Sleep
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