Research Article 
The Mechanisms of Positive Effects of Melatonin in Dyslipidemia: A Systematic
Review of Animal and Human Studies
Shilan Mozaffari, Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar and Mohammad Abdollahi
International Journal of Pharmacology, 2012, 8(6), 496-509.
Abstract
Dyslipidemia and following atherosclerosis as a chronic affection remain one major cause of death all over the world. Given multiple reports on positive effects of melatonin on dyslipidemia, there is a need for reviewing all these studies in order to reach a convincing conclusion. Towards this goal, we have reviewed all previous investigations on use of melatonin in dyslipidemia found from PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Scopus and web of Science up to January 2012. Of the publications identified in the initial database, 11 clinical trials and 43 nonclinical trials (18 in vitro and 25 animal studies) were included and reviewed. Most of the results reveal the potency of melatonin as an antioxidant in preventing lipid peroxidation through different mechanisms and therefore, improving the lipid profile. Melatonin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects, neutralizes free radicals, increases antioxidative enzymes and glutathione levels, prevents electron leakage from the mitochondrial respiratory chain, acts synergistically with vitamin C, E and glutathione, reduces levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and therefore prevents Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and decreases lipid peroxidation. The results indicate a need for further studies on safety/efficacy measures if melatonin was used in long-term.
ASCI-ID: 23-767
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