title: Melatonin: Protection against age-related cardiac pathology.
abstract: Aging is a complex and progressive process that involves physiological and metabolic deterioration in every organ and system. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity among elderly subjects worldwide. Most age-related cardiovascular disorders can be influenced by modifiable behaviours such as a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables, avoidance of smoking, increased physical activity and reduced stress. The role of diet in prevention of various disorders is a well-established factor, which has an even more important role in the geriatric population. Melatonin, an indoleamine with multiple actions including antioxidant properties, has been identified in a very large number of plant species, including edible plant products and medical herbs. Among products where melatonin has been identified include wine, olive oil, tomato, beer, and others. Interestingly, consumed melatonin in plant foods or melatonin supplementation may promote health benefits by virtue of its multiple properties and it may counteract pathological conditions also related to cardiovascular disorders, carcinogenesis, neurological diseases and aging. In the present review, we summarized melatonin effects against age-related cardiac alterations and abnormalities with a special focus on heart ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury and myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Favero
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franceschetti
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buffoli
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba and the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St. Boniface Hospital Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
authors.forename: Mohammed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Moghadasian
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Russel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodella
authors.affiliation: Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: rita.rezzani@unibs.it.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rezzani
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010945:Plants, Edible
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Aging; Cardiac pathology; Heart ischemia/reperfusion injury; Melatonin; Myocardial infarction