Melatonin, longevity and health in the aged: an assessment.
This brief review considers the potential role of melatonin in the processes of aging, the prolongation of life span and health in the aged. Studies completed to date generally suggest that exogenously administered melatonin may serve to extend life span in invertebrates, but evidence supporting this conclusion in mammals is less compelling. Thus, any conclusion regarding a role for melatonin in extending normal longevity, particularly in mammals, would be premature. With regard to deferring the signs of chemically-induced neurodegenerative conditions in experimental animals, the data are remarkably strong and there is a modicum of evidence that in humans with debilitating diseases melatonin may have some beneficial actions. Indeed, this should be one focus of future research since as the number of elderly increases in the population, the frequency of costly age-related diseases will become increasingly burdensome to both the patient and to society as a whole.
Reiter
Russel J
RJ
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, MC 7762, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA. reiter@uthscsa.edu
Tan
Dun-Xian
DX
Mayo
Juan C
JC
Sainz
Rosa M
RM
Lopez-Burillo
Silvia
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D008550:Melatonin; D010100:Oxygen