- SIRT1 allows for melatonin to function in anti-inflammation by preventing the function of macrophages
- Melatonin prevents NF-kB from being activated during Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (especially in T-cells and lung tissue)
- Melatonin increases the work of Nrf2 in protecting the liver and heart

Michigan State University

Melatonin is a hormone released by the pineal gland during sleep, and it is thought to help regulate biological rhythms and the immune system.

Melatonin

Zhang, R., Wang, X., Ni, L., Di, X., Ma, B., Niu, S., ... & Reiter, R. J. (2020). COVID-19: Melatonin as a potential adjuvant treatment. Life sciences, 117583. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117583 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32217117/

COVID-19: Melatonin as a potential adjuvant treatment

- Melatonin increases the impact of anti-oxidative enzymes when preventing inflammation
- Oxidized lipoproteins produce a lot of IL-6 alveolar macrophages
- The production of IL-6 is a result of the TLR4 pathway (results in ALI/ARDS)
- Melatonin uses TLR4 signaling to prevent inflammation


Melatonin's impact on anti-oxidation

How melatonin prevents inflammation

- Randomized trial → 8-week consumption of melatonin for patients with diabetes mellitus -and gum inflammation → decreased IL-6 levels (and other serum levels)
- Patients suffering multiple sclerosis were provided with a higher does of melatonin for 6 months → reduced IL-6 levels (as wells as some other serum levels)
- With little inflammation, 5-10 mg/d of melatonin for less than a weeks results in a reduction of cytokines that cause inflammation
- As a result, melatonin may be able to lower inflammation from cytokines in COVID-19 patients

Melatonin in relation to cytokine levels

- The COVID-19 virus and apoptosis by T-cells result in changes in immune response
- Too much cytokine production and formation of several immune could result in an infection due to ARDS
- COVID-19 reduces levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and CD8+ T cells
- Melatonin regulates the actions of immune cells by increasing the function of natural killer cells, and the levels of the cells mentioned in the bullet point directly above, in the bone marrow and other body tissues
- Melatonin increases the presence of antigens
- NLRP3 antibodies suppressed when an infection (due to ARDS) reaches its peak point results in protection against inflammation (suggests that melatonin plays a role)


Melatonin and how it can alter the immune system

Analyze the following scenario and identify the hormone primarily responsible for the traveler's symptoms. Explain the physiological reason for their experience.

Hormonal Basis of Jet Lag

Based on the case study below, provide a physiological explanation that connects the individual's sleep disturbances and their increased susceptibility to illness to the function of the primary hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles.

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