A review of melatonin in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury and clinical liver disease.

Abstract

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) can lead to cellular and, eventually, organ dysfunction, with the liver being one of the most frequently affected organs. Melatonin, a molecule that has notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been shown to protect against hepatic IRI. The purpose of this review is to summarize the protective effects of melatonin on hepatic IRI. The review initially summarizes the antioxidant properties of melatonin. We then discuss the protective effects of melatonin against endothelial and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thereafter, we introduce some information covering melatonin-related signaling pathways, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), toll-like receptor (TLR), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and so on. Furthermore, the clinical application of melatonin to hepatic diseases is considered. Finally, the safety of melatonin is evaluated. Taken together, the information compiled in this review will serve as a comprehensive reference regarding the pharmacological benefits of melatonin on hepatic IRI, aid in the design of future experimental research, and promote melatonin as a new therapeutic target.

• Authors: Yue Li, Yang Yang, Yingtong Feng, Juanjuan Yan, Chongxi Fan, Shuai Jiang, Yan Qu
• Journal: Annals of medicine (Ann Med) Vol. 46 Issue 7 Pg. 503-11 (Nov 2014) ISSN: 1365-2060 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25033992 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Melatonin

Topics

• Antioxidants (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Endothelium (metabolism)
• Humans
• Liver (blood supply)
• Liver Diseases (drug therapy, etiology, prevention & control)
• Melatonin (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Mitochondria (metabolism)
• Reperfusion Injury (complications, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction