Melatonin and kidney; a narrative review on the renoprotective efficacy of melatonin in various renal diseases

Abstract

Melatonin, a synthetic product of the vertebrate pineal gland as well as of other select organs, is critical for the regulation of circadian and seasonal alterations in various aspects of physiology and neuroendocrine functions. Melatonin was shown to have notably wide actions including anti-inflammatory activity due to its high antioxidant potential as a powerful free radical scavenger. Melatonin reduces macromolecular damage in all organs through its ability to scavenge toxic free radicals such as renal tubular cell injury. Some other disorders related to chronic kidney diseases treatable by melatonin is sleep–wake rhythm disturbances between different dialysis groups as well as in high blood pressure in diabetic nephropathy patients. As age advances, the nocturnal production of melatonin decreases in animals of various species, as well as in human. The adrenal of elderly people is hypersensitive to adrenocorticotropic hormone. On the other hand, midnight corticoid balances are grew up in old ages, so the effects of melatonin on the secretion of corticoids have been indicated that modification of corticoid-related phenomena can clarify considerably melatonin’s apparent antiaging and other valuable actions. Melatonin can also play a vital role in renal protection against dangerous free radicals which can be harmful for kidney function followed by renal tissue destruction.

Keywords: Free radicals, Reactive oxygen species, Melatonin, Diabetes mellitus, Antioxidants, Oxidative stress, Renal disease