The question of how to prolong youthfulness worries not only gerontologists and geriatricians, but also cosmetologists, since anti-aging procedures occupy the first place in the list of services that patients expect from cosmetology clinics. Among the latest scientific developments that are likely to slow down the aging process of the skin, experts are considering products containing melatonin.

Over the past decades, in world and domestic cosmetology, the question of how much biological rhythms (that is, the uniform alternation in time of any states of the body) are responsible for our aging, and what should be done in order to stop this aging both inside and and outside.

The sundial of aging

A person lives "to the sounds of an orchestra" - rhythms created by the Earth, the Sun, the Moon, planets, space. Distinguish between external biological rhythms, which are of a geographical nature and following cyclical changes in the external environment, and internal (physiological) rhythms of the body. The most famous are: circadian (circadian or diurnal) and seasonal biological rhythms associated with a certain photoperiodicity - the reaction of living organisms to the diurnal rhythm of illumination, the length of daylight hours and the ratio between the dark and daylight hours. A person has about 300 physiological functions depend on external biological rhythms.

The “conductor of our orchestra” is the pineal gland, or pineal gland, an endocrine gland located in the geometric center of the brain.

The attention of world science to the pineal gland was attracted relatively recently, only in the second half of the last century. Prior to that, this pea-sized organ remained outside the scope of scientific interests, since, due to the fault of evolutionary morphologists, it was considered a rudimentary third eye, which, moreover, had almost lost its connection with the rest of the brain, and therefore unworthy of the attention of serious researchers.

Meanwhile, the pineal gland has been known to mankind for more than one thousand years, and in the distant past, oddly enough (given its extremely modest size), it earned a very respectful attitude. One cannot but be surprised at the coincidence of the views of ancient Indian and ancient Greek philosophers on this gland. For some reason, the first considered the pineal gland to be the organ of telepathy and reflections on the reincarnation of the soul, and the second, without colluding with the first, took for a valve, again regulating the amount of the soul, a structure necessary to establish peace of mind.

The impetus for a truly scientific study of the pineal gland was the fundamental work of A. Lerner and his co-authors, who described in 1958 the lightening effect on the skin of frogs of a substance isolated from the gland and called melatonin. Ten years later, thanks to the research of J. Axelrod, it was found that the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin are directly related to the regulation of biological rhythms. Since then, an unprecedented "epiphyseal boom" has begun and continues, which has literally swept over modern science.

The secret to longevity from the hormone melatonin

It is now known that melatonin, a hormone of photoperiodicity, secreted mainly at night, since its release is inhibited by impulses coming from the retina of the eye, which reacts to light.

Only about 30 mcg of melatonin is produced per day. Its secretion is subordinate to a diurnal rhythm and occurs mainly in the dark (70% is synthesized at night; the peak of production occurs at two in the morning), and in the light, in the morning and afternoon hours, the production of the hormone is sharply suppressed.

There is a seasonal variation in melatonin synthesis. The level of melatonin in the blood of humans is minimal in the period from May to July, that is, during the period of maximum daylight hours and illumination. In the same months, the maximum value reaches the amplitude between the minimum (daytime) and maximum (nighttime) levels of melatonin during the day. Apparently, it is with this associated with seasonal changes in the general activity and, the emotional state of a person.

Melatonin production decreases with age. For each person, the melatonin curve is quite individual. Moreover, a significant decrease in the production of melatonin in the majority begins after 40 years, while the centenarians have a fairly high level of this hormone. Maybe this is the secret of longevity ?!

Scientists have also discovered membrane receptors for melatonin (MTNR1A, which are located in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland, suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus and in peripheral organs, and MTNR1B - in the brain, retina, lungs) and nuclear (retinoid) receptors. The sensitivity of these receptors to melatonin decreases with age and varies with the time of day.

The main functions of melatonin

What are the main functions of melatonin in the body, if the pineal gland is rightfully called the “sundial of aging”? Regulation of the circadian and seasonal rhythms of the body, antioxidant and antitumor protection, control over the endocrine, nervous and immune systems - and that's not all!

Melatonin ensures the natural structure of sleep, adapts the body to changes in climatic and geographical zones and rapid change of time zones, supports the reproductive system, optimizes cognitive activity of the brain and prevents its disturbances, improves perception processes, weakens anxious behavior and a sense of fear, reduces energy expenditure of the myocardium, inhibits platelet aggregation , normalizes fat-carbohydrate metabolism, blood pressure, motility, rhythm and secretory activity of the stomach and intestines and, most importantly, slows down the aging process.

The level of a natural hormone in the blood depends on age (we have already mentioned this), on gender (in women it is higher than in men), and if these parameters cannot be changed, then the third and, perhaps, the most important component is sleep!

Anything that disrupts the normal alternation of light and dark and disrupts our circadian rhythms contribute to accelerated aging. First of all, light pollution (lightening of the night sky by artificial sources of light scattering in the lower layers of the atmosphere), work in the night shift, constant lighting indoors at night, white nights in northern latitudes, transmeridial flights are to blame for this.

The emergence of electricity, an artificial increase in the length of daylight hours, work at night or shift work, night "rest" of young people - these are the reasons leading to the failure of our internal biological clock. And their biological age depends on their work, which does not always correspond to the calendar one.

Methods for determining biological age are based on the measurement of so-called biomarkers of aging. Biomarkers of aging are objective physiological indicators of the state of organs and systems of the body, with the help of which the rate of aging is determined, as well as an assessment of individual health risks, including the prognosis of the development of a number of diseases. Certain requirements are imposed on biomarkers of aging: they must reflect physiological age, allow control of changes in the body, serve as a means of predicting life expectancy, be easily reproducible, be measured in both animals and humans, be non-lethal, non-invasive and minimally traumatic.

How to determine if there is a lack of melatonin in the body and if additional intake is necessary

The most reliable way is to measure the content. The currently developed very sensitive (from 0.5 pg / ml) methods for the determination of this hormone not only in blood plasma, but also in urine and saliva - make its use quite possible and justified. Doses, time and course of administration are determined in each case individually, taking into account the shape of the melatonin curve.

If sleep becomes more shallow and restless, if an inappropriate lifestyle disrupts the sleep-wake cycle, if sleep problems arise, then probable cause - low level secretion of melatonin. In this case, two ways of solving the problem are possible: sleeping in absolute darkness, for the full production of its own melatonin, or taking exogenous melatonin with an age-related decrease in the production of this hormone.

Compliance with the daily routine, sufficient light exposure in the daytime, bedtime before midnight, prolonged sleep (seven to eight hours) in complete darkness (blackout curtains on the windows, turned off TV, computer, night light, use of a blindfold), food consumption rich in tryptophan (bananas, turkey, chicken, cheese, nuts, seeds) - that's enough simple terms, which allow you to maintain the secretion of melatonin at the proper physiological level.

It is advisable to give up medications that reduce the level of melatonin and take vitamin and mineral complexes with vitamins B3 and B6, calcium and magnesium in the spring and summer, which increase the production of melatonin. If you follow all these "precautions", then melatonin - the "pendulum" of our biological clock - will be produced on time and in the right amount. It will help us cope with diseases, accelerated aging, and age-related pathology.

There is also a topical application of melatonin in creams or lotions that have an antioxidant, moisturizing and regenerating effect on the skin. At the same time, there is a reduction in superficial wrinkles, restoration of skin elasticity and tone. Studies have shown that the regular use of such cosmetics prevents premature aging of the epidermis.

In addition, the photoprotective effect of melatonin when applied externally was noted (absorbs 27.17% of UVB rays and 12.29% of UVA rays). It can also be used in complex cosmetic programs, such as contouring, mesotherapy, botulinum toxin injections. This allows you to prolong the action of the main procedure; cosmetics containing melatonin can be used in pre- and post-peeling care. In aesthetic surgery and permanent make-up, these products help quick recovery, prevent the development of secondary infection, increase local immunity.

But do not think that the unfolding "epiphyseal boom" is a panacea for all our troubles and misfortunes. Extensive clinical trials of the use of melatonin or other drugs that stimulate the production of endogenous melatonin are needed, which will allow for melatonin replacement therapy, depending on the cause of the lack of this hormone.

Original taken from in

If you have already read Chapters 1 and 2 of "Pathophysiological Research ...", then you can well imagine how all living things are interconnected in a single pulsating pattern of organizational interaction. Rhythms are one of the clearest indications of the existence of this pattern. They reflect two major trends in the universe. One of them creates Everything literally from Nothing, the other in the same way turns everything that exists into the great Nothing. Everything, absolutely everything, processes in nature proceed rhythmically, by alternating changes in their various states. The orbits of the planets have points of apogee and perigee, day is followed by night, the ebb and flow of the moon relentlessly follow, as well as periodic bleeding in women. Not to mention the microcosm, where all phenomena can be represented in the form of oscillatory processes of a different nature.

In the course of evolution, natural objects have become much more complex. But, despite their enormous complexity, they are subject to the simple law of a hierarchical structure. And one of the consequences of this law is that in a complex object, the rhythms of all the simpler entities from which it was created are harmoniously coordinated with each other.

The simplest analogy of this kind is the clockwork. Look at its inner beauty: each gear stands in its place, has the right number of teeth, and mates with the others in exactly its intended place. It is worth letting go of the wound spring, and the gears will spin in a strict order. Neither of them can do this earlier than the other, otherwise the clock will either show the wrong time, or it will simply jam. Or imagine a complex dance in which each of the dancers must make his own movement at a certain second. The work of the conveyor. Musical symphony. There are many examples.

It becomes clear why every action must take place on time. Especially if it takes place inside a complex biological object - such as our body. All actions in it are deterministic and controlled. Likewise, the body can control its own rhythms, maintaining their constancy, and adapting to changes in the environment. Such a thing as jet-lag, or time zone change syndrome, is familiar to anyone who frequently flies on airplanes. Someone does not notice anything, someone experiences intestinal discomfort, while others cannot close their eyes or sleep like marmots for a couple of days. This organism adapts to the new length of daylight hours.

Rhythm, on the one hand, is a consequence of working to preserve our basic constants. But, on the other hand, it is also a constant originating from our environment. As a constant, our rhythms depend on the geographic, planetary, and, probably, cosmic location, which determines the mode of external radiation exposure in a given solar system... If it is simpler - the change of day and night. Therefore, in the process of evolution, as inhabitants of planet Earth, we have developed a way to maintain such a constant: a substance that provides external control of the coordination of biological rhythms - melatonin. We will talk about him today. From the above, its extremely important role in the work of our body is extremely clear.

By biological action, melatonin is a hormone. Its formula is C13H16N2O2

Structural formula
It was first discovered by a research group led by American dermatologist A. Lerner, in 1958. Having processed 250 thousand bovine pineal glands, scientists discovered a biologically active substance in their extract that lightened frog skin color by stimulating the release of melanin from melanophores. It is because of this effect that the substance was named melatonin. Interest in this hormone, since its discovery, has not faded away. There have been many works in which the pineal (pineal) gland was considered as its only source. But in more recent studies, the sheer breadth of its effects has led scientists to doubt that it is produced only by the pineal gland. What is its effect in the body?

coordination of biological rhythms
control of the work of the genital glands
immunomodulatory effect
participation in the mechanisms of antioxidant protection
broadcast nerve impulse(neurotransmitter function)
protection of genetic information
is one of the signaling molecules
anticarcinogenic effect
sedative effect on the central nervous system
geroprotective action (protection against aging)
As you can see, this hormone is able to influence both individual organs and cells, and the whole organism as a whole. This, coupled with its chemical structure, leads us to believe that its appearance in the evolution of living things occurred at least at the level of a cell compartment, if we take into account the fact that it is able to protect macromolecules, as well as nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from damage in all subcellular structures. Accordingly, you can try to detect it in other cells of the body. This became possible with the advent of specific research methods. One of the first such methods was the detection of antibodies to indolealkylamines (MT chemical family). Because One of the most represented actions of MT in the body is the regulation of the “internal clock” according to daylight hours, then it would be logical to assume that the hormone will be found first of all in the cells of organs that are somehow connected with light, namely, in the visual apparatus. And so it happened. Melatonin precursors and associated catalytic enzymes have been found in the retina. The schematic diagram of its synthesis looks like this:

(amino acid) -> 5-OXYTRIPTOPHANE -> 5-OXYTRIPTAMINE (serotonin) -> N-ACETYL SEROTONIN -> MELATONIN

As mentioned above, melatonin can be produced by other cells in our body. At the same time, we assumed that the evolutionary age of this hormone is large enough. Therefore, it can be assumed that it is produced in many cells of the body.

One can imagine how many super-complex processes are capable of regulating, and all these cells do it every second. However, despite the data on the active participation of MT in adaptation processes, pathophysiological mechanisms, and many other things, the significance of this external, in relation to the pineal gland, department producing MT secretion has not been practically studied. (selection - ours, ed.) But all these cells are collectively much more than there is in the pineal gland itself !!!

And finally, in this part of the article, I would like to highlight some aspects of melatonin production. The intensity of its metabolism depends primarily on the level of illumination. The level of HIOMT, the main enzyme responsible for production, is 3.5 times higher in the pineal gland at night than during the day. At the same time, the level of serotonin in her cells proportionally decreases by 7-9 times. This shows a clear dependence of MT synthesis on the circadian (24-day) rhythm.

Light is a powerful physicochemical factor that inhibits (stops) melatonin synthesis. Even a short pulse of light received at night suppresses MT secretion, and its influence depends on many components: wavelength, flux power, and even spectrum. White light works most effectively in this vein, in combination with green, blue, and red (experiments on rats).

Nighttime melatonin production peaks at 2 a.m. The influence of various conditions on this process was also noted:

Nutrition: after a 2-day fast, the MT level decreases by 19%, while the other group of starving people received glucose, the MT level did not decrease. There is information that after a 72-day fast, daytime MT levels increase, while nighttime levels remain unchanged.
Exercise: High-intensity exercise performed at night increases secretion by another 50%, but decreases it 2-3 times the next night. Exercising during the day will increase your daily level.
Magnetic environment: continuous action of polymer fields (with frequently changing parameters) increases the excretion of 6-SOMT, the main indicator by which the level of melatonin is measured. At the same time, for electricians and people working with low-frequency magnetic fields, the MT level significantly decreases.
Now let's take a closer look at the effect of melatonin on various processes in our body.

MT and Oncology

Cancer is one of the most pressing issues in our society. This applies to both professionals in medicine and biology, and the common man in the street. Today, there are practically no people who would not be familiar with the concept of "cancer". Therefore, people closely follow the research and reports of progress along this thorny path. Research on MT as an anti-cancer agent has been conducted since 1929. Then E. Georgiou suggested that the pineal gland can influence the growth and distribution malignant tumors... Towards the end of 1977, the Austrian oncologist V. Lapin organized and conducted a symposium on this influence. Its name was promising: "The pineal gland - a new approach to the mechanism of neuroendocrine action in cancer." On it, the data obtained by this time were systematized. And from now on, we can mark the beginning of serious in-depth studies of the role of melatonin in neoplastic processes.

This role has been studied in various models of cancer, using a variety of experimental methods. E. Georgiou's original opinion was that the pineal gland stimulates the growth of tumors. However, it was refuted. Moreover, it turned out that actions that activate it, or the introduction of external MT, lead to a decrease in the incidence and growth of tumors. Conversely, removing the gland increases the incidence of cancer. This is generally accepted today.

Thus, we can draw an obvious conclusion: the pineal gland and MT are one of the barriers to our anti-cancer defense.

I will not cite data on the specific action of MT on various growth mechanisms, specific receptors and signals. You can read them in special literature. However, it is worth giving a brief summary of its specific effects:

reduces the viability of breast tumor cells (MCF7)
significantly inhibits the development of melanoma
a decrease in the proliferative activity of cancer cells in general
an increase in the number of their apoptosis
decreased metastasis
suppression of tumor growth by increasing cell adhesion
MT and aging

Melatonin production has age features... It has been reliably established that its production by the pineal gland steadily decreases with increasing age. These data were obtained on both animal and human populations. It is generally accepted that this is characteristic of all mammals.

The MT level in the body begins to fluctuate from the moment of puberty, as a result of the work of the physiological mechanisms of reproductive maturation. After reaching adulthood, nighttime concentrations gradually decrease, to the point that in the elderly, the pineal gland ceases to increase the nighttime melatonin synthesis altogether. Their average daily level is about 50% lower than that of young people. However, one should not assume that it is invariably low. Among 70-90 year old people, 14% even have it increased relative to their normal daytime level.

It is believed that such a decrease is due to the deposition of calcium in the pineal gland at the site of its atrophied cells. These deposits increase in number and size with age.

In general, the indicator of a decrease in the production of melatonin in the body is not catastrophic, decreasing by 20-30% in the elderly compared to the young. This indicates that extrapineal sources of melatonin (located outside the gland) play an important role in the formation of general hormonal status and the regulation of many physiological processes.

The most severe degenerative process in senile diseases is Alzheimer's disease. It manifests itself in progressive memory loss, leading to dementia and death. It affects more than 20 million people in the world. In recent years, the concept of Alzheimer's disease due to oxidative damage through β-amyloid and subsequent apoptosis of neurons is considered to be the dominant concept. Moreover, the nervous system itself is very susceptible to oxidative stress: the brain, making up only 2% of the body weight, consumes 20% of oxygen.

In this vein, much attention is paid to the role of melatonin as an agent capable of preventing apoptosis and quenching free radicals. In general, MT, as a potential means of combating neurodegenerative diseases, is of interest for the following reasons:

Its endogenous (internal) production decreases with age, which coincides with the onset of many neurodegenerative processes.
It easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier, after exogenous administration it is found in the brain in high concentrations
It is a ubiquitous antioxidant, the activity of which is very high in neurological diseases (in model studies)
Thus, melatonin is directly involved in the aging process and is a powerful potential marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of age-related diseases, primarily oncological and degenerative diseases.

External sources of melatonin
and their role in metabolism

The identification of the MT molecule has stimulated research interest in the physiology of the pineal gland. The very wide range of action of the hormone, and its required calculated amount, called into question the role of only one organ in the synthesis of melatonin. The history of the discovery of MT extrapineal synthesis is directly related to the concept of diffuse neuro endocrine system, which combines neuroendocrine cells capable of synthesizing biogenic amines and peptides scattered throughout the body. This assumption was made long ago, but it was confirmed only in 1969 by Researcher A. Pearse. It has been shown that many cells different types are able to absorb precursors of monoamines (5-OH-tryptophan, L-2OH-phenylalanine) with their subsequent decarboxylation and synthesis of biogenic amines. Such cells are called APUD-cells (English abbreviation for "Capture and decarboxylation of amine precursors"). More than 100 such cells have been found so far.

These findings go beyond the traditional approach to the relationship between the nervous and endocrine systems. Every day there is more and more evidence that the foundations of bioregulation lie in a close coordinated functional interaction between the endocrine and nervous systems, based on general type receiving and transferring information at all levels. (emphasis is ours, ed.)

Melatonin is one of the substances involved in this metabolism. Its sources are scattered throughout the body. In the role of a physiological signal, it coordinates the mechanisms of homeostasis and maintains its constancy.

It was first found in the Garderian gland and retina. Then, taking into account the data on the high content of MT precursors in the intestinal EC-cells, N. T. Raikhlin and I. M. Kvetnoy for the first time suggested the possibility of melatonin production by these cells, and carried out its experimental identification. Moreover, the fact of the presence of the MT synthesis process, and not its passive accumulation, was confirmed. The key enzyme of melatonin synthesis, GIOMT, was found in the intestine.

The performed mathematical analysis suggests that the total number of EC cells in the intestine is significantly higher than that of the pineal gland cells. The fact that EC cells contain 95% of serotonin deposited in the body - the main MT precursor, allows us to consider them as the main source of melatonin in humans and animals.

In general, within the DNES (diffuse neuroendocrine system), two types of MT-producers are distinguished: central and peripheral. The central cells include the pineal gland and the visual system, the secretion of which coincides with the "light-dark" rhythm. To the peripheral - all the rest.

MT-producing cells have been found not only in gastrointestinal tract but also in other places. Modern research data give us the following picture of its production outside the pineal gland:

In endocrine cells: gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, adrenal glands, thyroid, ovaries, endometrium, placenta, prostate, inner ear;

In non-endocrine cells: Garderian gland, thymus, pancreas, carotid body, cerebellum, retina, mast cells, natural killer cells (NK cells), eosinophils, platelets, endothelial cells.

For those who are confused by complex biomedical definitions, it can be said briefly - it is almost everywhere.

It has already been said above that despite the fact that most of the effects that the APUD-gene melatonin produces, their mechanism remains practically unexplored. However, there is some evidence. First, MT is an active endogenous antioxidant. Its action is more effective than that of such a well-known molecule as glutathione. Especially large numbers of MT-producing cells are found in places where the level of free radical damage is very high, due to the production of a large number of its own endogenous CP. For example, the hypothesis that melatonin protects the Garderian glands from free radical damage induced by porphyrins (a product of these glands) is supported by the fact that the MT content in the glands of Syrian hamsters is strongly correlated with the porphyrin content.

Taking into account the large number of MT-producing cells in many organs, a wide spectrum of activity, and also the main property - to regulate biological rhythms, melatonin can be considered a paracrine signaling molecule that locally coordinates cellular functions and intercellular connections. To an inexperienced reader, this sentence may seem too complicated, but, nevertheless, it contains the entire importance of the issue under consideration. Translating into everyday language, we can cite the army as an example. It contains generals, officers, soldiers, cooks, drivers, pilots, etc. Melatonin plays the role of a signalman in this army. He constantly, without any rest and rest, carries commands from generals to officers, from officers to soldiers, and also returns reports from soldiers to officers, and from officers to generals. Not to mention the orders for the rest of the workers and employees. Communication is one of the foundations of the army. The more accurately and earlier the command is transmitted, the more likely it will be. that the army will win the battle. Likewise, our body is in its relentless battle with the environment. As soon as the melatonin level drops, we start to lose.

A quick overview of the rest of the functions

Here I will give a very short, statement-level overview of the rest of the functions of melatonin in the human body. This information is of little use in everyday life, and is of interest to specialists. But if you are curious - you are welcome. Perhaps this data will prompt you to investigate the problem deeper.

The opinion about the inhibitory effect of the pineal gland on reproductive function was expressed even before the discovery of melatonin as a hormone. In 1898, Heubner described a 4-year-old boy with a pineal gland tumor and early puberty. The inhibitory role of MT is well understood in animals. different types... A delay in spontaneous opening, a decrease in the volume of the ovary, and a decrease in the frequency of the estrous cycle in female rats are described. The inhibitory effect of MT on testosterone production has been shown. In recent years, MT is not considered as a strictly antigonadotropic agent. It is regarded rather as a hormonal messenger that modulates the activity of various systems, incl. and reproductive, depending on the photoperiodic environment.

Here I want to put forward one rather interesting hypothesis. Returning to E. Revici's theory of evolution, we can say that melatonin provided us with a period of extended childhood, whose importance in the development and formation of our culture is simply invaluable. This can be seen in the fact that when the object reaches a certain hierarchical level, at which it is possible to acquire the ability to think, there is a rational use of the already existing complementary substance in order to consolidate the boundary formation that separates a person from the cosmos, namely the technosphere.

There is also a large number of works indicating the stimulating role of MT in the work immune system- it has been shown that it stimulates the production of cytokines and interferon, enhances the cytotoxic function of natural killer cells (NK cells).

In addition to hormonal effects, MT, like other biogenic amines, has a neurotransmitter effect. It provides excitability of postsynaptic membranes and is involved in the conduction of nerve impulses. This function of biogenic amines is essential for the activity nervous system- from providing visceral effects to integrative functions such as behavior, memory, and learning.

It is well known that on early stages embryogenesis biogenic amines play the role of specialized signaling molecules that regulate the processes of cell renewal. MT is capable of inhibiting cell proliferation and is as powerful as colchicine, a potent cytotoxic agent used in cancer therapy.

Therapeutic strategies

At the beginning of this section, let's summarize the main results. So here's what we need to know about melatonin:

It is the most important agent responsible for the body as a whole. Violations in the amount of its production and its timing are an indicator of serious problems.
MT is produced during a night's sleep in complete darkness.
With typical aging, the production of its own melatonin decreases by at least a third.
Melatonin is produced to a MORE extent by the intestines than by the pineal gland of the brain.
Melatonin is a powerful self defense against cancer and oxidative diseases (for example, many arthritis and atherosclerosis).
Melatonin is responsible for the body's overall ability to adapt to change.
And let's draw the following conclusions from these results, in order of importance:

The disease, in itself, is very rarely a very precisely localized disturbance of a separate transmission or production system of the body. Basically, such diseases are of a genetic nature and are extremely rare. On the contrary, a disease is a complex phenomenon, with a disease there is a loss of many links in our relationship with the environment.

Therefore, any single substance should not be regarded as a panacea or lead drug. It is necessary to restore in the reverse order the entire chain of violations, which requires, firstly, a clear understanding of the body's work, and, secondly, a host of various agents prescribed precisely. Moreover, the same disease in different people can have a completely different picture of internal metabolic and signaling disorders, and, accordingly, diametrically opposite treatment regimens. When correcting such violations, and preventing them, the body will automatically restore MT levels, which makes it unnecessary to introduce it from the outside.

But, in the case when such therapy is impossible for various reasons, the introduction of exogenous melatonin can significantly help. This is especially indicated for cancer patients. Such support gives a full range of positive effects on general state homeostasis, allowing you to accurately localize the foci of disturbances, and allow both the body's defenses and the administered medicinal substances to work specifically with the problem, instead of overcoming the cascades of broken connections. Simply put, melatonin is like a roadmap for the body and drugs. BUT IT IS NECESSARY TO REMEMBER: Melatonin can accelerate the growth and development of some tumors !!!

Returning to aging, we can safely say that everyone, after 50 years of age, is shown a MT course 1-2 times a year. Especially if you have symptoms of certain age-related diseases. Naturally, taking into account the above instructions.

Also, patients and old people must be shown moderate exercise stress when possible and does not exacerbate existing problems. Movement is the key to maintaining a stable MT level !!!

Everyone who is constantly FAST moving between time zones and over long distances simply MUST have certain MT drugs with them to compensate for the emerging desynchronosis. This is especially true of pilots, flight attendants working in conditions of electromagnetic fields of various strengths.

From the question of melatonin and the intestines, one more confirmation of the immutable empirical postulate, proven by MILLIONS of years, follows: our health is, first of all, the health of our intestines. The material presented contains one of the many theoretical and experimental confirmations of this. At the same time, I would like to separately note the following fact - melatonin is produced from tryptophan, an amino acid. Where are the most amino acids? That's right - in the meat. Especially available - in lean meat, the digestion of which is much less energy-intensive for the intestines than, for example, legumes, soybeans, or other plant foods. Feel free to say hello to vegetarians from big science. Remember, however, that fiber from plant foods is also needed to maintain optimal gastrointestinal function - it is food for the bacteria that inhabit it.

Talking about sleep, you can immediately clearly define the criteria for normal sleep:

lack of light sources
comfortable body position
transfer of sexual relations to the daytime
It is also worth thinking about minimizing the number of electrical appliances and the presence of physiologically competent lighting in the premises. Throw away all those fancy fluorescent lights. They will save you much less money than what you will later spend on restoring your own health. The technosphere becomes more complex much faster than our bodies can adapt. Thus, the increase in life expectancy, which was caused by the elimination of natural hazards, can soon be offset by early mortality due to an increasing number of various systemic pathologies. Strokes at the age of 20-25 are not uncommon today.

The most optimal melatonin preparations today are sprays made using liposomal delivery technology. You should be aware that melatonin preparations are STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED for pregnant women and persons under the age of 25. Serious indications are required between the ages of 16 and 25.

based on materials V.Kh. Khavinson
Konovalova S.S.
et al.

The editors of the resource "adequate.INFO" provides the following information strictly for informational purposes, it in no way can serve as a recommendation or indication of actions in relation to one's own health. We recommend using the services of specialists to obtain complete and reliable advice on any appointment.

Of the MT preparations available on the market in the form of dietary supplements, the following can be distinguished:

Source Naturals NUTRA SPRAY Melatonin
Life-FLO Melatonin Cream
Melatonin in the Russian Federation is registered as a drug, the pharmacopoeial monograph was issued for the drug "Melaxen". Group - adaptogens.

You can get acquainted (including with INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and interaction with other l / s) here.

Based on the biological activity of MT, the optimal regimen for the majority can be considered either situational, when doses of 1.5-2.5 mg are taken NOT SYSTEMICALLY NOT CONSTANTLY as needed (insomnia, desynchronosis), or in the system 2 courses a year 2 months intake, 3 we skip months, if there are appropriate indications for 1-1.5 mg.

Systematic (MSTPH) name:

N-acetamide

Clinical data:

Consumer information

Legality: Available on prescription only in Australia (S4); in the UK only with a prescription, in the USA without a prescription;

Method of application: orally, dissolves under the tongue, subcutaneously;

Pharmacokinetic data:

Bioavailability: 30-50%

Metabolism: in the liver by 6-hydroxylation of CYP1A2

Half-life: 35-50 minutes

Excreted in the urine

Chemical data:

Formula: C 13 H 16 N 2 O 2

Molecular weight: 232.278 g / mol

Melatonin (chemical name N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine) is present in animals, plants, fungi and bacteria. ... In most of the described organisms, with the exception of animals, it is not constantly involved. In animals, this hormone helps determine the onset of darkness. In animal cells, melatonin is directly synthesized from an essential amino acid; in other organisms, it is synthesized using shikimic acid. In animals, melatonin is involved in the formation of circadian rhythm and physiological functions such as sleep time, blood pressure regulation, seasonal mating and reproduction, and others. Majority biological effects melatonin in animals is provided by melatonin receptors, while other effects are based on the fact that melatonin is a pervasive and powerful antioxidant and also participates in the protection of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Melatonin can be used as a sleep aid for certain types of sleep disorders. It can be taken in capsule, tablet, or liquid form. Also available as sublingual tablets and transdermal patches. To date, there are not many long-term studies on the effects of melatonin in humans.

Opening

Melatonin was discovered through research into the ability of amphibians and reptiles to change their skin color. In early 1917, Carey Pratt McCord and Floyd Allen discovered that applying bovine pineal gland extract brightened the coat color of tadpoles by compressing dark epidermal melanophores. In 1958, dermatology professor Aaron Lerner and colleagues isolated a hormone from the bovine pineal gland and named it melatonin, in the hope that a substance in the pineal glands would help treat skin diseases. In the mid-70s, Lynch et al. proved that melatonin in the human pinal glands affects the circadian rhythm. Melatonin was identified as an antioxidant in 1993. The first patent for the use of melatonin as a sleep aid belongs to Richard Wurtman and dates back to 1995. It was around this time that melatonin was credited with treating many diseases. In 2000, the New England Journal of Medicine wrote: “Hypotheses and unsubstantiated claims that melatonin is a miracle cure have significantly slowed down the process of identifying the true importance of melatonin for human health. Today, thanks to rigorous observation of the blind, the potential of melatonin is clearer than ever, as is the importance of timing in treatment. Our society, which is on the move 24 hours a day and does not see the light of God? now he knows, thanks to which they can feel the passage of time. "

Biosynthesis and pharmacology

The biosynthesis of melatonin in humans and some organisms goes through four enzymatic stages and originates in the essential dietary amino acid tryptophan, then follows the pathway of serotonin. During the first two steps, L-tryptophan is first converted to 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-GTP) by the enzyme tryptophan 5-hydroxylase. 5-GTP is then decarboxylated (removing the CO2 molecule) by 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase and produces serotonin. Further reactions occur under the influence of external factors (light). In the dark, an essential enzyme, aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), is activated and converts serotonin to N-acetyl serotonin, which, in turn, is converted to melatonin by acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase. This process is the main regulator of melatonin synthesis from tryptophan, since the action of the ААNAT gene directly depends on the light period. In bacteria, protists, fungi, and plants, melatonin is not synthesized directly with tryptophan, as it is a byproduct of the shikimic acid pathways. In these organisms, synthesis begins with d-erythrose-4-phosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate, as well as in photosynthetic cells with carbon dioxide. The rest of the reactions are similar, but the last two enzymes can vary.

Regulation

In vegetables, the secretion of melatonin is regulated. Norepinephrine increases the concentration of intracellular cAMP via beta-adrenergic receptors and activates cAMP-dependent kinase A (PKA). PKA phosphorylates the penultimate enzyme, arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT). Upon exposure to (daylight) light, noradrenergic stimulation is terminated and the protein is immediately destroyed by proteasomal proteolysis. Melatonin production starts again in the evening under the influence of light of a certain spectrum. This light, in fact, is blue, 460-480nm, which allows you to restrain melatonin in proportion to the intensity and length of exposure. Until now, people living in the temperate zone have been exposed to (blue) daylight for several hours in winter. Incandescent bulbs, widely used in the twentieth century, produced relatively little blue light. Kayumov et al. proved that only light longer than 530nm is not able to suppress melatonin in a bright room. If you wear glasses that block blue light a few hours before bedtime, you can reduce the loss of melatonin. This advice is useful for those who need to fall asleep earlier than usual, as melatonin can make you sleepy.

Pharmacology

According to the phase characteristic of human exposure to melatonin, taking 0.3mg of melatonin a few hours before bedtime puts the circadian clock back, allowing you to fall asleep earlier and wake up earlier. In humans, 90% of melatonin taken orally passes through the liver once, a small amount is excreted in the urine, and a small amount is also found in saliva.

Animals

In animals, melatonin is produced during the dark, mainly at night. It is produced by the pineal gland, a small endocrine gland located in the central part of the brain but outside the blood-brain barrier. Information about the presence of light reaches the suprachiasmatic nucleus through the retinal photosensitive ganglion cells of the eye. Melatonin is known as the "dark hormone" and the rise in melatonin levels allows nocturnal animals to stay awake at night and those leading a diurnal lifestyle to sleep. Varying melatonin production provides animals with "seasonal hours" because, like humans, melatonin production depends on the length of the night at different times of the year. Thus, the duration of melatonin secretion serves as a biological signal for the correct distribution of daytime for reproduction, general behavior, and the growth of hair or feathers. In animals with a limited mating period, the gestation period is also short and they mate during the daytime. In them, melatonin signals form sexual psychology, examples of such animals are starlings and hamsters. Melatonin is able to suppress libido by secreting luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, especially in mammals in which the mating period occurs during the daytime. Thus, melatonin makes it possible to control the excess of offspring in animals that mate in the daytime during long daylight hours, and to stimulate reproductive functions during the short daylight hours. During the night, melatonin regulates the level, lowering it.

Plants

Melatonin is found in many plants, including (Tanacetum parthenium), ((Hypericum perforatum), rice, corn, tomatoes, grapes and other edible fruits. The physiological role of melatonin in plants is to regulate their response to photoperiod, protect them from the harsh conditions of growing places as well as antioxidant action Melatonin also regulates plant growth as it slows down the root growth process, accelerating the growth of the outside of the plant.

Functions

Daily biorhythm

In animals, the main function of melatonin is to regulate the day-night cycle. In infants, melatonin levels stabilize to a constant level as early as the third month after birth, with the highest threshold reaching around 8pm. The production of melatonin in humans decreases over the years. As children become adolescents, the timing of melatonin production at night changes, leading to late falling asleep and waking up late.

Antioxidant

In addition to being a biological clock adjuster, melatonin is a powerful antioxidant. wide range action that was discovered in 1993. In many simple organisms, melatonin performs only this function. Melatonin is an antioxidant that easily penetrates cell membranes and crosses the blood-brain barrier. This antioxidant eliminates oxygen and nitrogen radicals, including OH, O2−, and NO. Melatonin is combined with other antioxidants to increase their effectiveness. Melatonin is twice as active, which was previously thought to be the most effective lipophilic antioxidant. An important distinguishing feature of melatonin is that its metabolites are also radical scavengers. Melatonin also differs from antioxidants such as vitamins C and E in that it has amphiphilic properties. When compared with synthetic antioxidants (MitoQ and MitoE), melatonin was found to be better able to protect mitochondria from oxidative stress.

The immune system

While melatonin is known to interact with the immune system, it is unclear exactly how. The anti-inflammatory effect is the most studied and described at the moment. A number of studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of melatonin in the fight against certain diseases. Much of the information available is based on small and incomplete clinical trials. It is believed that any positive impact melatonin on the immune system is due to the fact that melatonin acts on high-affinity receptors (MT1 and MT2) in immunocompetent cells. Preclinical studies have shown that melatonin can increase cytokine production. According to some studies, melatonin can help with infectious diseases, including viruses, such as HIV, and in infections, and possibly cancer. In people with rheumatitis versus healthy people of the same age, increased production of melatonin was found.

Interaction with metals

In vitro, melatonin is able to combine with cadmium and other metals.

Exogenous melatonin

Dietary supplement

The FDA classifies melatonin as a dietary supplement. It is commercially available throughout the United States and Canada, and its distribution (unlike any other drug) is not regulated in any way. However, according to the new rules of this administration, from 2010 all dietary supplements must be produced according to the current proper and high-quality technology at the time of production. Products should be labeled appropriately, for example “non-toxic”. Manufacturers should also notify FDA that dietary supplements may cause side effects... In Europe, melatonin falls under the category of neurohormones and is not sold.

Food

Melatonin is found in food: in cherries - 0.17-13.46 ng / g, in bananas and grapes, in cereals, herbs, olive oil, wine and beer. When birds eat fruits rich in melatonin, melatonin binds to melatonin receptors in their brains. When melatonin-containing foods are consumed by a person, the level of melatonin in the blood increases significantly (such foods, for example, include bananas, pineapples and oranges). According to a May 2011 statement by the New York Times, beverages and snacks containing melatonin were sold in stores, clubs and kiosks. The FDA has verified that these products are labeled with the required information and the dietary supplement label. In January 2010, the department already sent a letter to Innovative Beverage, a company in the production of "relaxation drinks", stating that melatonin is not food additive, since the degree of its safety has not yet been determined.

Medical use

The effect of melatonin on insomnia in old age was investigated. Long-term exposure to melatonin has shown positive results. Melatonin has also been shown to help with circadian disorder and seasonal affective disorder. Also, standard research has shown that melatonin may reduce withdrawal withdrawal symptoms from drugs such as cocaine. ...

Sleep disorders

In 2004, it was found that melatonin does not improve sleep quality or help people fall asleep on shift work or those who fly frequently and move from one time zone to another. On the other hand, melatonin has been shown to reduce sleep latency and improve sleep quality in people with chronic sleep deprivation. Long-term and short-term use of melatonin has shown that melatonin is safe and effective in improving sleep latency, sleep quality, and improving attention in people with insomnia. In the course of some studies, it was proved that an increase in the time of production of melatonin contributed to an improvement in the quality of sleep in patients, as well as in people with. In addition, the increased timing of melatonin production helped to normalize the sleep cycle in children with developmental problems. In two “blind” placebo studies, melatonin was found to help normalize blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure at night. Taking melatonin in the evening, along with light therapy after sleep, are standard treatments for dysania, when circadian rhythms are not tied to changes in the time of day. These methods are also useful for other sleep problems and poor circadian rhythm, jet lag, and disorders that occur in people with shift work. Melatonin significantly reduces the increase in sleep latency in people with dysonia (versus insomnia). Melatonin increases sleep duration in people with shift work. According to the phase characteristic of melatonin in humans, taking an extremely small dose before bedtime does not cause drowsiness, but acts as a chronobiotic (affects the “internal clock”) and promotes addiction to morning light therapy. Light therapy can cause a shift in the sleep phase by an hour or two, and oral intake of 0.3 or 3 mg of melatonin can add about 30 more minutes to this period. When the above dose was taken twice, no difference was observed. Pre- and postoperative anxiety Melatonin, compared with placebo, is effective in reducing preoperative anxiety in adults. In addition, its effectiveness is comparable to that of the standard drug, midazolam. Melatonin was also associated with a reduction in postoperative anxiety compared to placebo (measured 6 hours after surgery).

Stimulants

According to studies, melatonin, prescribed to patients with whom was also given, helped to reduce the time to fall asleep. Moreover, this effect did not subside after 3 months of administration.

Headache

Several clinical trials have shown that taking melatonin prevents migraines and cluster headaches.

Cancer

A systematic review of open-label clinical trials in 643 cancer patients found that the use of melatonin reduced the likelihood of death, but it was concluded that blind trials of independent groups are needed to fully confirm this effect. The National Cancer Research Institute concluded that the information obtained from open clinical trials was not valid.

Gallstones

Melatonin contained in gallbladder, has a number of protective properties - converts cholesterol into bile, prevents oxidative processes, and also promotes improved excretion of gallstones. It also lowers cholesterol levels by regulating its passage through the intestinal wall. In people and animals leading a diurnal lifestyle, the level of melatonin in bile is 2-3 times higher than in the blood during the daytime.

Radiation protection

Tinnitus

Several studies on the effects of melanin in adults have shown that melatonin can be used to treat tinnitus.

Dreams

Some people who take melatonin report an increase in their number of dreams per night. Extremely high doses of melatonin (50mg) significantly prolong REM sleep in both affected and healthy people.

Autism

Melatonin significantly improves sleep quality in people with autism spectrum disorder. Studies have shown that children with autism have altered melatonin pathways and below average melatonin levels. Taking melatonin helps to increase the duration of sleep, increase the latency of sleep, and also prevents waking up at night. Most of the research carried out is based on information obtained from the patients themselves, therefore, more thorough research is needed.

Pediatrics

Although the labeling of melatonin packaging warns against the use of melatonin in childhood, research has shown that melatonin is effective and safe remedy in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as insomnia. More research is needed to determine the safety and optimal dosage for long-term use of melatonin.

To give up smoking

Melatonin significantly alleviates the negative effects associated with withdrawal, such as anxiety, agitation, tension, depression, anger, and cigarette cravings.

Side effects

With short-term use (up to 3 months), melatonin at low dosages practically does not cause side effects. A 2006 systematic review found that melatonin is not helpful for the treatment of sleep disorders associated with jet lag and shift work, although it is safe for short-term use. Increasing the time to release melatonin is also safe for up to 12 months. Side effects of melatonin include nausea, dizziness the day after ingestion, irritability and decreased blood flow, and hypothermia. In people with orthostatic instability and decreased blood pressure and blood flow rate in the brain when rising from horizontal position melatonin can also help. At autoimmune diseases it is not known whether melatonin helps, or, on the contrary, makes the situation worse. Melatonin can lower FSH levels. The effect on reproductive function is still unknown, although in 1990 some effect was noted with the use of melatonin as a contraceptive. Melatonin has extremely low toxicity in female rats. Recent studies have shown that melatonin has a toxic effect on photoreceptor cells in the pupils of rats when exposed to sufficient sunlight, and also leads to the formation of tumors in white mice. In animal studies, it has been found that increasing the bioavailability of melatonin aggravates symptoms, while decreasing melatonin may alleviate them. Melatonin has been shown to impair neurodegeneration in rats with Alzheimer's disease.

Availability

In countries with free distribution of melatonin, the sale of pure melatonin is not regulated. Doses of pure melatonin range from less than half a milligram to 5 mg or more. Taking pure melatonin can raise blood melatonin levels to peak levels in as little as an hour. The hormone can be taken orally, in capsule, tablet, or liquid form. You can also take it sublingually or use transdermal patches. The sale of pure melatonin is free online and is presented as a dietary supplement. Basically, melatonin comes from animal pineal tissue. At the moment, this hormone is synthetic and there is no risk of transmission of viruses from animals.

Prolonged release

Melatonin can be prescribed as an extended release drug. Melatonin is released over 8-10 hours, which essentially mimics the behavior of melatonin in the body. European Agency for medicines has confirmed the safety of prescribing melatonin as an extended release drug for people 55 years of age or older and recommends it for the treatment of insomnia or restless sleep. Agencies of other countries that have confirmed this fact:

Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration

Israeli Ministry of Health

Norwegian Medical Agency

Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Goods

: Tags

List of used literature:

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Melatonin is the main hormone of the pineal gland. This biologically active substance affects all systems in the human body.

The pineal gland is a small section of the brain that plays a huge role in the harmonization of metabolic processes and the activity of the nervous system. It connects the visual perception apparatus (retina) and every cell in the body.

Melatonin synthesis

The complex process of biological synthesis of melatonin occurs mainly in the pineal gland. The precursor to this hormone is the neurotransmitter serotonin.

A necessary condition for starting the chemical reaction of converting serotonin into melatonin is darkness.

Thus, the concentration of the hormone increases precisely after the end of daylight hours. A particularly significant level of melatonin in the blood is recorded after midnight and before dawn. In winter, this interval is longer than in summer for natural reasons.

The release of the hormone melatonin is a chemical signal from the pineal gland to all body systems that night has come.

Melatonin and night rest

As the sun sets, the metabolism and the activity of the central nervous system change. In many ways, these changes occur due to the action of the pineal gland hormone melatonin.

Literally before the beginning of the previous century, the only normal option for sleep and wakefulness was the natural following of the biological clock. People got up at dawn, worked actively during the day, went to bed after dusk. Artificial lighting was used very limitedly. Staying awake after midnight and even more so before dawn was an absolutely rare occurrence.

V modern world sleep and wakefulness are further away from natural biological rhythms. Night rest time has been reduced to a minimum. Many work schedules generally assume active wakefulness after midnight and sleep only in the morning and afternoon hours.

Unfortunately, such abnormal human body Sleep and wake schedules negatively impact the overall health and function of the central nervous system.

Melatonin is practically not produced in the pineal gland during the day, even during sleep. His lack of concentration makes it difficult to have a good rest, both physically and mentally.

A low level of melatonin disrupts the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, adversely affects the processes of memory and learning, metabolism.

Functions of melatonin

In the pineal gland, with the onset of darkness, blood flow is activated. This gland takes on the role of a leader in the endocrine system during rest. Its main hormone, melatonin, regulates all body processes during a night's sleep.

Hormone functions:

• inhibition of excessive excitation in the central nervous system;
• ensuring falling asleep and maintaining sleep;
• activation of immunity;
• decrease in the level of systemic blood pressure;
• hypoglycemic effect (lowering blood sugar);
• hypolipidemic effect (lowering blood cholesterol);
• an increase in the concentration of potassium.

Melatonin is one of the sleep-inducing substances. Its drugs are used to treat some forms of insomnia.

In addition, this hormone is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants. Its action at night helps to restore damaged cells and slow down the aging process of the body.

The function to lower blood glycemia and cholesterol is essential to prevent metabolic syndrome(combination diabetes mellitus, hypertension and atherosclerosis).

Melatonin prolongs life. Scientists speculate that high concentrations of the hormone may contribute to longevity and well-being even after 60–70 years.

The hormone prevents the appearance and growth of malignant tumors. This function is performed by influencing the synthesis of growth hormone, which in high concentrations contributes to the development of cancer.

It has been proven that melatonin is essential for the normal course of psychological processes. Lack of hormone provokes depression and anxiety.

Measures to normalize melatonin levels

The most effective measure to increase blood melatonin levels is the correct daily regimen. Recommended:

• early rise;
• going to bed before midnight;
• night rest for about 6-8 hours;
• study in the first shift;
• work without night shifts.

If circumstances permit, then it is preferable to increase the hormone in this way. Returning to the natural rhythm of sleep and wakefulness will have a positive effect on health and well-being within a few days.

You can also increase melatonin with a special diet. The diet should include foods containing essential amino acids (tryptophan). It is especially important to complement your dinner with them.

Dishes that increase the concentration of melatonin:

• nuts;
• legumes;
• meat;
• a fish;
• bird;
• dairy products.

In addition, the pharmaceutical industry today has melatonin boosting agents. Some of these medicines are registered as medicines, while others are considered dietary supplements.

Pineal gland hormone preparations

Melatonin drugs are used to correct sleep disorders. For this purpose, they are prescribed in the evening hours for a course of up to several weeks.

In addition, melatonin is used for depression, low performance, memory loss and intellectual function. The most commonly prescribed tablets are those containing an artificial analogue of human melatonin.

The pineal gland hormones of animal origin have a similar effect. It is believed that such medications have a strong immunostimulating effect.

Any preparations of pineal gland hormones are quite serious means. They should be used only on the recommendation of the attending physician (therapist, endocrinologist, neurologist). During treatment, laboratory monitoring of the basic functions of the body is necessary (blood tests for hormones, transaminases, lipids and glucose).

Melatonin, in the minds of most people, is a cross between a sleeping pill, dietary supplement and something coloring. The latter is explained by the consonance of the name with the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of the skin and hair in humans. Meanwhile, melatonin is a hormone, which means that it is involved in many processes in the human body, many of which have little to do with sleep.

What is Melatonin

Melatonin is the main hormone of the pineal gland, the pineal gland in the brain. It is also produced by lymphocytes and enterochromaffin cells located in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, particularly the pancreas and hepatobiliary system (the organs that make bile). Moreover, the level of melatonin in the intestine is 10-100 times higher than in the blood, and 400 times higher than in the pineal gland.

Accordingly, they talk about:

• epiphyseal (central) melatonin and
• paracrine (regional, peripheral) melatonin.

If you completely block the body's ability to receive central melatonin from the pineal gland, then the peripheral will not go anywhere and will continue to work. Therefore, scientists believe that one of the functions of melatonin is the coordination of cellular functions at the level of individual organs.

In addition, melatonin is the oldest antioxidant (and it is stronger than vitamins C and E) found in almost all living organisms on Earth. So along the way, it can perform protective functions, protecting individual organs and tissues from oxidative stress.

Melatonin levels decrease during a person's life for the following reasons:

• Elderly age.
• Carcinogenesis.
• Smoking.
• Increased body mass index.

Considering the use of melatonin to influence the body from the outside, one should talk about:

• endogenous melatonin, which is produced in the body and
• exogenous melatonin, which a person injects in the form of drugs.

Melatonin and biological rhythms

Melatonin is a key element of the "molecular clock" of all animals on Earth. The maximum production of melatonin in the pineal gland occurs in the dark (200 pg / ml or more), and the minimum - during the daytime (no more than 10 pg / ml). The pineal gland is associated with the suprachiasmatic nuclei of the hypothalamus, which are the driver of the circadian rhythm, that is, they are responsible for fluctuations in various body functions during the day.

The main task of melatonin is the synchronization of biological rhythms and adherence to the daily frequency. Moreover, melatonin allows you to build in a single rhythm not only the "sleep-wakefulness" system, but also the systems responsible for memory, thinking, logic and emotions of a person - maintaining them in working order is part of healthy way life.

Scientists believe that it is this ability that allows the exogenous preparation of melatonin to be used to combat the manifestations of desynchronosis (disturbance of the daily biorhythms of a person) during flights between different time zones, for the treatment of sleep disorders and some mental disorders.

Other abilities of melatonin

Receptors for melatonin are found not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in the myocardium (heart muscle), in the cells of blood vessels and blood. This diversity speaks to the high level of versatility of melatonin. For example, hormone receptors have been found on the surface of certain cells of the immune system. Therefore, it is an immunostimulant, and also participates in the regulation of seasonal and lunar cycles in humans.

It is generally a mistake to think of melatonin as a hormone that can only be used to treat sleep disorders. The efficacy of melatonin has been demonstrated in traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, hypertension, angina pectoris, certain types of arrhythmias, certain types of depression, eczema, glaucoma and cataracts, as well as as part of complex therapy for certain types of cancer.

Scientists are also focusing on the ability of melatonin to reduce the side effects of various pharmacotherapies. Melatonin is successfully used for all kinds of intoxications: from drug overdose to poisoning with industrial poisons or heavy metal salts.

It should be remembered that melatonin is a hormone. Thus, epiphyseal melatonin can affect the work of some endocrine glands, for example, the production of hormones by the adrenal cortex. That is, we can say that, in addition to its direct effect on many body systems, melatonin also has an indirect effect, triggering the production of other hormones.

Melatonin and sleep

Practice has shown that taking melatonin preparations really helps a person fall asleep. And the lower the level of its own, endogenous melatonin, the stronger the effect of the external, exogenous drug. However, the duration of sleep does not change. But the combination of melatonin with other drugs (benzodiazepines) improves sleep quality, duration, reduces the time you fall asleep and the number of nighttime awakenings.

In addition, the effect of melatonin is highly dependent on what time of day it was taken. So, if the patient received melatonin in the first half of the night or right before bedtime, then the phase change of his circadian rhythms occurs faster. If the drug was taken in the second half of the night or in the first half of the day, then the change in the phases of circadian rhythms, on the contrary, occurs later. Therefore, the best time for taking the medicine is considered to be 22-23 hours.

Benefits of Melatonin Drugs

• Security.

Melatonin is not a foreign substance for our body, we ourselves know how to produce it. Therefore, it is safe enough as medicinal product- even higher doses (100-150 mg daily) do not lead to overdose.

• Efficiency.

Melatonin is a hormone. Even in small doses (3-5 mg), it gives a real clinical effect, for example, in the fight against insomnia.

Disadvantages of Melatonin Drugs

• Lack of evidence of safety and efficacy.

Too few observations were made when taking the drug to be 100% sure to consider it absolutely safe and even more so effective.

• Atypical dependence of the effect on the dose taken.

For most drugs, dependence is observed: the higher the dose, the stronger the effect, up to an overdose. Not everything is so simple with melatonin: starting from a certain dose, the effect not only decreases, but can even take negative values. In the course of experiments, it was found that at certain dosages, melatonin, which has just protected against oxidative stress, on the contrary, begins to increase stress manifestations. According to other studies, the hypnogenic effect of melatonin will be greater if you take a dose 10 times less than what doctors recommend today.

• The need to analyze the initial hormonal background.

Since melatonin is produced by the person himself, before prescribing its introduction from the outside, it is necessary to determine not only the content of the hormone in various biological fluids of a person, but also to calculate the curve of daily production of epiphyseal melatonin.

• Duration of treatment.

To achieve a real effect, long-term courses of treatment (3-4 months) are required.

• Weak directional effect.

Melatonin works best in combination with other drugs that are more traditional for treating the same insomnia.

• Lack of control.

Melatonin is involved in a wide variety of biochemical processes in the body. It is impossible to control them completely. But you need to understand exactly that taking a hormonal drug, we trigger dozens, if not hundreds, of reactions, most of which we do not really need at the moment.

conclusions

• Melatonin in the body is designed primarily to adapt to changing environmental conditions. In everyday life, it should be used to treat desynchronosis and to adapt to working the night shift.
• It is best to use melatonin as an additional drug as part of complex therapy.
• You cannot prescribe melatonin yourself, without examination and tests, without the advice of a neurologist.
• It is necessary not only to carefully calculate the dose, taking into account the mass of influencing factors, but also to take the drug at a strictly defined time of the day so as not to get the opposite effect.