How Melatonin Protects Cell Energy Centers from Damage
- Authors
- Dario Acuna Castroviejo, Luis C. Lopez, Germaine Escames, Ana Lopez, Jose A. Garcia, Russel J. Reiter
- Journal
- Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.2174/156802611794863517
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Spain
- Health Condition
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Body System
- nervous system
TL;DR
Melatonin is a natural substance that acts like a bodyguard for your mitochondria (the parts of cells that make energy), protecting them from damage caused by harmful molecules that build up when your body uses oxygen. Scientists think melatonin could help treat diseases involving broken mitochondria, like some nerve and muscle problems.
Summary
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of melatonin's protective effects on mitochondria, the cellular structures responsible for energy production. The study examined how mitochondria evolved through hydrogen-dependent symbiosis and how oxygen consumption creates harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Melatonin, a natural hormone with powerful antioxidant properties, helps protect mitochondria from oxidative and nitrosative damage. The research highlights melatonin's role in preventing mitochondrial dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. By reducing cellular stress and inflammation, melatonin supports healthy mitochondrial function and may offer therapeutic benefits for conditions involving mitochondrial damage and energy metabolism disorders.
Abstract (excerpt)
Although two main hypotheses of mitochondrial origin have been proposed, i.e., the autogenous and the endosymbiotic, only the second is being seriously considered currently. The 'hydrogen hypothesis' invokes metabolic symbiosis as the driving force for a symbiotic association between an anaerobic…