Abstract
Melatonin is a lipophilic hormone, mainly produced and secreted at night by the pineal gland. Melatonin synthesis is under the control of postganglionic sympathetic fibers that innervates the pineal gland. Melatonin acts via high affinity G protein-coupled membrane receptors. To date, three different receptor subtypes have been identified in mammals: MT1 (Mel 1a) and MT2 (Mel 1b) and a putative binding site called MT3. The chronobiotic properties of the hormone for resynchronization of sleep and circadian rhythms disturbances has been demonstrated both in animal models or in clinical trials. Several other physiological effects of melatonin in diffrent peripheral tissues have been described in the past years. In this way, it has been demonstrated that the hormone is involved in the regulation of seasonal reproduction, body weight and energy balance. This contribution has been focused to review some of the physiological functions of melatonin as well as the role of the hormone in the regulation of energy balance and its possible involvement in the development of obesity.
Resumen
La melatonina es una hormona producida fundamentalmente durante la noche por la glándula pineal. La síntesis de melatonina está controlada por las fibras simpáticas postglanglionares que inervan la glándula pineal. La melatonina actúa a través de receptores de membrana de alta afinidad acoplados a proteína G. Hasta la fecha, tres diferentes subtipos de receptores han sido identificados en mamíferos: MT1 (Mel 1a), MT2 (Mel 1b) y un posible sitio de unión denominado MT3. Las propiedades cronobióticas de esta hormona se han descrito tanto en modelos animales como en ensayos con humanos, participando en la sincronización del sueño y los ritmos circadianos. También se han observado en los últimos años otros efectos fisiológicos de la melatonina en diferentes tejidos periféricos. Así, se ha comprobado que esta hormona está implicada en la regulación de la reproducción estacional y en el control tanto del peso corporal como del balance energético. Esta revisión supone una actualización de las functiones fisiológicas de la melatonina así como el papel de esta hormona en la regulación de la homeostasis energética y su posible implicación en la obesidad.
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Barrenetxe, J., Delagrange, P. & Martínez, J.A. Physiological and metabolic functions of melatonin. J. Physiol. Biochem. 60, 61–72 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168221
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03168221