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Melatonin: Pharmacology, Functions and Therapeutic Benefits

2017; Bentham Science Publishers; Volume: 15; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2174/1570159x14666161228122115

1875-6190

Sylvie Tordjman, Sylvie Chokron, Richard Delorme, Annaelle Charrier, Éric Bellissant, Némat Jaafari, Claire Fougerou,

Sleep and Wakefulness Research

Background: Melatonin synchronizes central but also peripheral oscillators (fetal adrenal gland, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart, lung, fat, gut, etc.), allowing temporal organization of biological functions through circadian rhythms (24-hour cycles) in relation to periodic environmental changes and therefore adaptation of the individual to his/her internal and external environment. Measures of melatonin are considered the best peripheral indices of human circadian timing based on an internal 24-hour clock. Keywords: Adaptation to external and internal environment, biological clocks, biomarker, clinical application, central and peripheral oscillators, melatonin, prevention and treatment, sleep-wake rhythm, synchronizer.