title: Effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, and resistance to bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections: a review.
abstract: Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, works directly and indirectly as a free radical scavenger. Its other physiological or pharmacological activities could be dependent or independent of receptors located in different cells, organs, and tissues. In addition to its role in promoting sleep and circadian rhythms regulation, it has important immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects suggesting that this indole must be considered as a therapeutic alternative against infections. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and the resistance to bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium perfringens), viral (Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus and respiratory syncytial virus), and parasitic (Plasmodium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Opisthorchis viverrini) infections.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB - IVIC), sede Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: José Ramón
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Vielma
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB - IVIC), sede Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela; Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, estado Zulia, Venezuela. Electronic address: embonilla2008@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonilla
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas "Dr. Américo Negrette", Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, estado Zulia, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Leonor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chacín-Bonilla
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB - IVIC), sede Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Marylú
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mora
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB - IVIC), sede Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medina-Leendertz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (CIB - IVIC), sede Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Yanauri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bravo
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D060467:Disease Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Bacterial infections; Inflammation; Melatonin; Oxidative stress; Parasitic infections; Viral infections