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Melatonin: Its Microbicidal Properties and Clinical Applications

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Book cover Melatonin and Melatonergic Drugs in Clinical Practice

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Abstract

Melatonin is a versatile molecule, synthesized mainly by the pineal gland and in small amounts by other organs like retina, gastrointestinal tract, thymus, bone marrow, and lymphocytes. Other than its important role in various body functions like sleep and circadian rhythm regulation, antioxidant functions, and control of reproductive functions, melatonin has been found to be effective in combating infections by various bacteria including chlamydia and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as by viruses. Molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial actions of melatonin have been proposed to be due to its effects on free radical formation, direct regulation of bacterial duplication, and depletion of intracellular substrates like iron. It also has protective effect against sepsis as shown in various animal models of septic shock. This protective effect is suggested to be due to its antioxidant, immunomodulating, and inhibitory actions against the production and activation of pro-inflammatory mediators. Clinical studies have shown the potential beneficial use of melatonin in treating septic shock with severe respiratory distress syndrome and associated multiorgan failure in addition to its antimicrobial and antiviral actions.

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Abbreviations

4HDA:

4-hydroxyalkenals

cAMP:

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate

CLP:

Cecal ligation and puncture

cNOS:

Constitutive nitric oxide synthase

GSH:

Reduced glutathione

GSSG:

Oxidized glutathione

H2O2 :

Hydrogen peroxide

HEp-2:

Human epithelial type 2

IFN:

Interferon

IL:

Interleukin

iNOS:

Inducible nitric oxide synthase

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

MDA:

Malondialdehyde

MIC:

Minimum inhibitory concentrations

MODS:

Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome

MOF:

Multiorgan failure

MPO:

Myeloperoxidase

mtNOS:

Mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase

MTP:

Mitochondrial transition pore

NO:

Nitric oxide

NOS:

Nitric oxide synthase

O2•− :

Superoxide anion radical

ONOO− :

Peroxynitrite

RNS:

Reactive nitrogen species

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

TNF:

Tumor necrosis factors

VEE:

Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, An International Medical Sciences Research Study Center, Prasanthi Nilayam, 40-Kovai Thirunagar Extn, Goldwins, Coimbatore, TN, 641014, India

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

  2. National Health Service, Department of Mental Health, Psychiatric Service of Diagnosis and Treatment, Hospital “G. Mazzini”, ASL 4, Teramo, Italy

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

  3. Department of Neuroscience and Imaging, University “G.D’ Annunzio”, Chieti, 66013, Italy

    Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS

  4. Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, 16150, Malaysia

    Mahaneem Mohamed MD, MSc, PhD

  5. Organization for Interdisciplinary Research Projects, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8657, Japan

    Hisanori Kato PhD

Authors
  1. Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS
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  2. Mahaneem Mohamed MD, MSc, PhD
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  3. Hisanori Kato PhD
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Correspondence to Venkataramanujam Srinivasan MSc, PhD, MAMS .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sri Sathya Sai Medical Educational and Research Foundation, An International Medical Sciences Research Center, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India

    V. Srinivasan

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew-University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

    Amnon Brzezinski

  3. Department of Physiology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey

    Sukru Oter

  4. Department of Psychiatry Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, Georgia, USA

    Samuel D. Shillcutt

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Srinivasan, V., Mohamed, M., Kato, H. (2014). Melatonin: Its Microbicidal Properties and Clinical Applications. In: Srinivasan, V., Brzezinski, A., Oter, S., Shillcutt, S. (eds) Melatonin and Melatonergic Drugs in Clinical Practice. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0825-9_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-0825-9_5

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  • Online ISBN: 978-81-322-0825-9

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