What role does melatonin play in regulating circadian rhythms and cardiovascular health?
Label:chem
Topic
Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone primarily synthesized by the pineal gland in response to darkness. It plays a central role in regulating circadian rhythms by acting as a systemic signal of darkness, helping to synchronize peripheral oscillators with the environmental day–night cycle. Melatonin also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiometabolic properties, making it a potential therapeutic agent for cardiovascular disease.
From: "Circadian Rhythm Disruptions and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: The Special Role of Melatonin", Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(8), 664;
Answer
Melatonin helps regulate circadian rhythms by synchronizing the body's internal clock with the external environment. It reduces blood pressure, attenuates sympathetic tone, and improves endothelial function. Melatonin's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect against cardiovascular damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. It can be used as a chronotherapeutic agent to restore circadian alignment and improve cardiovascular outcomes, particularly in conditions like hypertension and atherosclerosis.
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