Evidence for the Benefits of Melatonin in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine gland which produces melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone with critical physiological roles in the circadian rhythm and sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin has been shown to possess anti-oxidant activity and neuroprotective properties. Numerous studies have shown that melatonin has significant functions in cardiovascular disease, and may have anti-aging properties. The ability of melatonin to decrease primary hypertension needs to be more extensively evaluated. Melatonin has shown significant benefits in reducing cardiac pathology, and preventing the death of cardiac muscle in response to ischemia-reperfusion in rodent species. Moreover, melatonin may also prevent the hypertrophy of the heart muscle under some circumstances, which in turn would lessen the development of heart failure. Several currently used conventional drugs show cardiotoxicity as an adverse effect. Recent rodent studies have shown that melatonin acts as an anti-oxidant and is effective in suppressing heart damage mediated by pharmacologic drugs. Therefore, melatonin has been shown to have cardioprotective activity in multiple animal and human studies. Herein, we summarize the most established benefits of melatonin in the cardiovascular system with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of action.

Circadian Rhythms Disrupted by Light at Night and Mistimed Food Intake Alter Hormonal Rhythms and Metabolism

“…Its actions are receptor-specific; MT 1 activation mediates vasoconstriction in both cerebral and peripheral arteries [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 , 127 ], and vasodilation via MT 2 [ 128 , 129 ]. Other work in this field presents promising data regarding the role of melatonin in regulating blood pressure, in vascular protection after ischemic injury, and other vascular injuries [ 121 , 122 , 130 , 131 , 132 ]. Finally, in adipose tissue, melatonin synchronizes metabolic and hormonal function [ 133 ] by regulating Per2, Clock and REV-ERBα, of which REV-ERBα is a documented requirement for daily balanced metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids [ 134 ].…”

Dietary Supplements Potentially Target Plasma Glutathione Levels to Improve Cardiometabolic Health in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials

“…This effect was associated with lower blood pressure, and the reduction in markers of inflammation and oxidative stress like malondialdehyde (MDA), hs-CRP, and increased plasma GSH levels [ 56 ]. The potential benefits of melatonin in improving cardiometabolic health are associated with its strong antioxidant properties [ 57 , 58 ], while its biological properties extend to improving sleep patterns and reducing blood pressure in patients with hypertension [ 59 ]. On the other hand, the administration of curcumin at 1000 mg/day for 3 months could block lipid peroxidation by lowering MDA levels as well as enhancing plasma levels of GSH in patients with T2D and coronary heart disease [ 60 ].…”

Evaluating the Relationship between Circadian Rhythms and Sleep, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disorders: Current Clinical Evidence in Human Studies

“…As far as the development of prevention interventional strategies and policies against metabolic and cardiovascular diseases is concerned, there is little clinical humans’ evidence regarding the recommendation of circadian rhythms and sleep to prevent metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. In this aspect, melatonin, a neuroendocrine hormone with critical physiological roles in the circadian rhythm and sleep–wake cycle, may exert beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system mainly through its antioxidant activity [ 86 ]. Notably, a recent meta-analysis noted that melatonin supplementation could be effective in improving lipid parameters and may be utilized in the prevention of CVD, although the effect of this supplement on anthropometric indices was not significant and needs further investigation [ 87 ].…”