title: Melatonin and climactery.
abstract: Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in the pineal gland from tryptophan. It participates in several biological processes in the human being, such as circadian sleep rhythm, mood, reproductive processes and aging. Melatonin serum levels are increased in childhood and diminish importantly in older people. Serum levels are diminished in patients with insomnia and depressive mood. Experimentally, the melatonin inhibits the growth of mammary tumors in animals. With respect to endometrial cancer and Alzheimer's disease, the information is not conclusive. No changes have been found in melatonin levels in climacterical women. So its use has not fundament in postmenopausal women, however it can only be administered for short periods of time for the treatment of some sleep disturbances.
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Endocrinology Service, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México. scarranzal@mexis.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carranza-Lira
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: García López
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D002979:Climacteric / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D008550:Melatonin