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Review Article
Mechanisms of Disease
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Volume 336:186-195 January 16, 1997 Number 3
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Melatonin in Humans
Amnon Brzezinski, M.D.

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Three centuries ago, the French philosopher René Descartes described the pineal gland as "the seat of the soul," but it was not until the late 1950s that melatonin, the principal substance secreted by the pineal gland, was identified.1 There is now evidence that melatonin may have a role in the biologic regulation of circadian rhythms, sleep, mood, and perhaps reproduction, tumor growth, and aging (Table 1). However, uncertainties and doubts still surround the role of melatonin in human physiology and pathophysiology. This review summarizes current knowledge about melatonin in humans and its clinical implications.

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Table 1. Biologic Functions and Processes . . . [Full Text of this Article]

 
Physiology and Pharmacology

Mechanisms of Action

Receptors

Free-Radical Scavenging

Enhancement of Immune Function

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

Sleep

Circadian Rhythms

Sexual Maturation and Reproduction

Aging

Cancer

Conclusions


Source Information

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel, where reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. Brzezinski.

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