褪黑素在神经退行性疾病中的应用

神经退行性疾病是一类由急慢性病理因素所引发的, 以神经细胞变性, 丢失、 退化为主要病理特征的中枢神经系统功能衰退性疾病。 它是第二大类常见的死亡原因, 预防神经退行性疾病已成为一个新兴的公共卫生领域, 对我们社会造成了巨大的挑战。 褪黑素是松果体激素, 具有多种生理功能, 主要包括调节昼夜节律, 清除自由基, 抑制生物分子氧化, 抑制神经炎症。 神经退行性疾病患者褪黑素的水平降低,褪黑素通过调节病理生理机制和信号通路发挥神经保护作用, 提示褪黑素有可能成为新的治疗药物。

Application of Melatonin in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are caused by acute and chronic pathological factors,and are characterized by loss and degeneration of nerve cells. It is the second most common cause ofdeath. The prevention of neurodegenerative diseases has become an emerging field of public health,which poses great challenges to our society. Melatonin is a kind of pineal hormone, which has manyphysiological functions, including regulating circadian rhythm, scavenging free radicals, inhibitingbiomolecular oxidation and neuroinflammation. It has been reported that patients with neurodegenerative diseases have lower melatonin levels. Melatonin plays the role of neuroprotection through somepathophysiological mechanisms and signaling pathways, and it is implied to be a new treatment forneurodegenerative diseases. This paper reviews the role and research progress of melatonin in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, vascular dementia and multiple sclerosis.