Perinatal Use of Melatonin for Offspring Health: Focus on Cardiovascular and Neurological Diseases

Abstract

Cardiovascular and neurological diseases can originate in early life. Melatonin, a biologically active substance, acts as a pleiotropic hormone essential for pregnancy and fetal development. Maternal melatonin can easily pass the placenta and provide photoperiodic signals to the fetus. Though melatonin uses in pregnant or lactating women have not yet been recommended, there is a growing body of evidence from animal studies in support of melatonin as a reprogramming strategy to prevent the developmental programming of cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Here, we review several key themes in melatonin use in pregnancy and lactation within offspring health and disease. We have particularly focused on the following areas: the pathophysiological roles of melatonin in pregnancy, lactation, and fetal development; clinical uses of melatonin in fetal and neonatal diseases; experimental evidence supporting melatonin as a reprogramming therapy to prevent cardiovascular and neurological diseases; and reprogramming mechanisms of melatonin within developmental programming. The targeting of melatonin uses in pregnancy and lactation will be valuable in the prevention of various adult chronic diseases in later life, and especially cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Light and Circadian Signaling Pathway in Pregnancy: Programming of Adult Health and Disease

“…[123]. Although emerging evidence from animal models of developmental programming suggests that melatonin use in pregnancy and lactation has reprogramming effects that prevent DOHaD-related disorders [31,124], no clinical trials of melatonin in pregnant women have been conducted to assess its use and safety. Another circadian signal, GC, has been well used in human diseases.…”

Early Origins of Hypertension: Should Prevention Start Before Birth Using Natural Antioxidants?

“…Melatonin, an endogenous indoleamine derived from tryptophan, has pleiotropic biofunctions, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, regulation of circadian rhythm, epigenetic regulation, and fetal development [ 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 ]. As reviewed elsewhere [ 12 ], melatonin has emerged as a common reprogramming strategy to prevent many adult diseases in different models of developmental programming. Several mechanisms, including reduction of oxidative stress, restoration of NO, epigenetic regulation, and rebalancing the RAS have been associated with the reprogramming effects of melatonin [ 12 ].…”

“…As reviewed elsewhere [ 12 ], melatonin has emerged as a common reprogramming strategy to prevent many adult diseases in different models of developmental programming. Several mechanisms, including reduction of oxidative stress, restoration of NO, epigenetic regulation, and rebalancing the RAS have been associated with the reprogramming effects of melatonin [ 12 ].…”

“…Cumulative evidence has shown that oxidative stress, experienced early in life, increases a later risk of hypertension [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Conversely, the use of antioxidant supplements during the period of developmental plasticity [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] may be beneficial in reversing the programming processes to prevent adult diseases, also known as reprogramming [ 4 , 13 ]. Therefore, this review aims to address the main scientific findings on the interplay among oxidative stress, natural antioxidants, and developmental programming in hypertension.…”

New Definitions in the Management of Neonates With Oxidative Stress Diseases

“…Мелатонін має виражену антиоксидантну та протизапальну дію, він здатний зв'язувати вільні радикали (активні форми кисню та азоту), а також є активатором інших захисних ферментативних систем, включаючи глутатіон, глутатіонредуктазу, пероксидазу та супероксиддисмутазу. Сукупні дані свідчать про те, що мелатонін має плейотропні біологічні функції, які контролюють циркадний ритм, окислювально-відновний гомеостаз, запалення, енергетичний обмін, контроль глікемії, ліпідний профіль, епігенетичну регуляцію та розвиток плода [6]. Ліпофільні властивості мелатоніну дозволяють йому легко перетинати більшість біологічних клітинних мембран, включаючи плацентарний та гематоенцефалічний бар'єр [4].…”