title: Utilizing melatonin to combat bacterial infections and septic injury.
abstract: Melatonin, also known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a ubiquitously acting molecule that is produced by the pineal gland and other organs of animals, including humans. As melatonin and its metabolites are potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers, they are protective against a variety of disorders. Moreover, multiple molecular targets of melatonin have been identified, and its actions are both receptor-mediated and receptor-independent. Recent studies have shown that melatonin may be useful in fighting against sepsis and septic injury due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions; the results generally indicate a promising therapeutic application for melatonin in the treatment of sepsis. To provide a comprehensive understanding regarding the protective effects of melatonin against septic injury, in the present review we have evaluated the published literature in which melatonin has been used to treat experimental and clinical sepsis. Firstly, we present the evidence from studies that have used melatonin to resist bacterial pathogens. Secondly, we illustrate the protective effect of melatonin against septic injury and discuss the possible mechanisms. Finally, the potential directions for future melatonin research against sepsis are summarized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.|Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Dongjin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Chongxi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Shouyin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Russel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.|Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D008550:Melatonin