Melatonin’s Central Role in Neuroimmunoendocrinology

Igor Kvetnoy, Dmitry Ivanov, Ekaterina Mironova, Inna Evsyukova, Ruslan Nasyrov, Tatiana Kvetnaia, Victoria Polyakova

Abstract: Much attention has been recently drawn to studying melatonin – a hormone whose synthesis was first found in the epiphysis (pineal gland). This interest can be due to discovering the role of melatonin in numerous physiological processes. It was the discovery of melatonin synthesis in endocrine organs (pineal gland), neural structures (Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, retinal photoreceptors), and immunocompetent cells (T lymphocytes, NK cells, mast cells) that triggered the evolution of new approaches to the unifield signal regulation of homeostasis, which, at the turn of the 21st century, lead to the creation of a new integral biomedical discipline — neuroimmunoendocrinology. While numerous hormones have been verified over the last decade outside the “classical” locations of their formation, melatonin occupies an exclusive position with regard to the diversity of locations where it is synthesized and secreted. This review provides an overview and discussion of the major data regarding the role of melatonin in various physiological and pathological processes, which affords grounds for considering melatonin as the “cornerstone” on which neuroimmunoendocrinology has been built as an integral concept of homeostasis regulation.

Key points:

• Melatonin is synthesized in various tissues, including the pineal gland, gastrointestinal tract, and immune cells, indicating its widespread physiological roles.
• It acts as a regulator in neuroimmunoendocrine interactions, influencing homeostasis and the body’s response to environmental changes.
• Melatonin exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, contributing to its protective effects in various pathological conditions.

Similar Studies

Melatonin as a principal component of red light therapy

Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation

Is light-emitting diode phototherapy (LED-LLLT) really effective?