Low melatonin as a contributor to SARS-CoV-2 disease
Abstract: That the pineal gland is a source of melatonin is widely known; however, by comparison, few know of the much larger pool of extrapineal melatonin. That pool is widely distributed in all animals, including those that do not have a pineal gland, e.g., insects. Extrapineal melatonin is not...
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | Artículo |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
2022
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://repositorio.uca.edu.ar/handle/123456789/13680 |
| Aporte de: |
| Sumario: | Abstract: That the pineal gland is a source of melatonin is widely known; however, by comparison, few
know of the much larger pool of extrapineal melatonin. That pool is widely distributed in all
animals, including those that do not have a pineal gland, e.g., insects. Extrapineal melatonin is not
released into the blood but is used locally to function as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent,
etc. A major site of action of peripherally-produced melatonin is the mitochondria where it
neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are generated during oxidative phosphorylation. Its
role also includes major actions as an immune modulator reducing overreactions to foreign agents
while simultaneously boosting immune processes. During a pandemic such as coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, melatonin is capable of suppressing the
damage inflicted by the cytokine storm. The implications of melatonin in susceptibility and
treatment of COVID-19 disease are discussed. |
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