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A Moving Frontline in the Study of Melatonin and Its Analogs

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2025) | Viewed by 1115

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Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Interests: keratinocytes; vitamin D; melanoma; metabolism; skin biology; cell culture
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Melatonin, an ancient molecule that is present throughout the plant and animal kingdoms, has an uncommonly wide variety of receptor-mediated and receptor-independent functions. Melatonin membrane receptors, designated MT1 and MT2, are widely distributed in eukaryotic cells. As a small molecule that is ubiquitously present in all organisms, from cyanobacteria to humans, melatonin has an uncommonly large array of functions.

Melatonin performs antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer functions, is involved in immune stimulation and oocyte maturation, and limits neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, etc.), in addition to its well-known role in the regulation of the circadian rhythm. Melatonin analogs have been developed especially for the treatment of sleep disorders and depression. In addition to this, melatonin is being tested for the treatment of a variety of other disorders.

Papers on any aspect of melatonin’s physiology and molecular biology will be considered for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Andrzej Slominski
Dr. Tae-Kang Kim
Dr. Konrad Kleszczyński
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • melatonin
  • serotonin
  • oxidative stress and inflammation
  • aging and cancer
  • neurodegenerative diseases

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

11 pages, 2037 KiB  
Article
Role of Melatonin in Regulating Rat Skeletal Muscle Tissue Inflammation and Damage Following Carbon Tetrachloride Intoxication
by Vladimir Milan Antić, Milorad Antic, Nenad Stojiljkovic, Nemanja Stanković, Miljana Pavlović and Dušan Sokolović
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(4), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26041718 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 636
Abstract
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a toxic compound that causes severe oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscles, resulting in structural damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired contractile function. While CD45 and melatonin (MLT) are implicated in immune modulation and antioxidative defense, their [...] Read more.
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a toxic compound that causes severe oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscles, resulting in structural damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired contractile function. While CD45 and melatonin (MLT) are implicated in immune modulation and antioxidative defense, their precise roles in mitigating CCl4-induced muscle damage remain incompletely understood, warranting further investigation. This study used 24 Wistar rats divided into four groups to evaluate the effects of MLT on CCl4-induced muscle inflammation. The first group was used as a control group, the second received only MLT (50 mg/kg), and the third group received CCl4, while the fourth group received MLT (50 mg/kg) and CCl4. Muscle tissues, obtained 24 h after the commencement of the experiment, were analyzed using biochemical assays for inflammatory markers, histological staining, and immunohistochemistry to assess structural and cellular changes. CCl4 exposure significantly increased NF-κB activity, nitric oxide levels, iNOS expression, and CD45-positive immune cell infiltration in skeletal muscles, indicating heightened inflammation and oxidative stress. Pretreatment with MLT markedly reduced these inflammatory markers, restoring damaged tissue and diminishing immune cell infiltration. Histological analyses confirmed reduced inflammatory cell presence and tissue damage in MLT-treated animals, highlighting its protective effects. Melatonin demonstrates significant protective effects against CCl4-induced skeletal muscle damage by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune cell infiltration, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Moving Frontline in the Study of Melatonin and Its Analogs)
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