Pleiotropic roles of melatonin in endometriosis, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and polycystic ovary syndrome

Hui-Li Yang, Hui‐Li Yang, Wen-Jie Zhou, Wen‐Jie Zhou, Chunjie Gu, Chun-Jie Gu, Yuhan Meng, Yu-Han Meng, Jun Shao, Da‐Jin Li, Ming‐Qing Li
American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989) · 2018 · vol. 80(1) , pp. e12839 · doi:10.1111/aji.12839 · PMID:29493042 · W2793990822
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This review systematically explores melatonin's pleiotropic roles in endometriosis, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and polycystic ovary syndrome, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for these gynecological disorders.

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Abstract

Melatonin is a neurohormone synthesized from the aromatic amino acid tryptophan mainly by the pineal gland of mammals. Melatonin acts as a broad-spectrum antioxidant, powerful free radical scavenger, anti-inflammatory agent, anticarcinogenic factor, sleep inducer and regulator of the circadian rhythm, and potential immunoregulator. Melatonin and reproductive system are interrelated under both physiological and pathological conditions. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune dysregulation are associated with the pathogenesis of the female reproductive system which causes endometriosis (EMS), recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Accumulating studies have indicated that melatonin plays pleiotropic and essential roles in these obstetrical and gynecological disorders and would be a candidate therapeutic drug to regulate inflammation and immune function and protect special cells or organs. Here, we systematically review the pleiotropic roles of melatonin in EMS, RSA, and PCOS to explore its pathological implications and treatment potential.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Abortion, Habitual Abortion, Spontaneous Endometriosis Melatonin Melatonin Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Abortion, Habitual Abortion, Spontaneous Animals Endometriosis Female Humans Melatonin Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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Cited by (13)

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