Melatonin and the Immune System in Aging

Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence), a condition known to correlate with increased incidence of cancer as well as infectious and degenerative diseases. Innate, cellular and humoral immunity all exhibit increased deterioration with age. Circulating melatonin decre...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neuroimmunomodulation 2008-01, Vol.15 (4-6), p.272-278
Main Authors: Cardinali, Daniel P., Esquifino, Ana I., Srinivasan, Venkataramanujan, Pandi-Perumal, Seithikurippu R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjuvants, Immunologic - therapeutic use
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - physiology
Circadian Rhythm
Cytokines - physiology
Granulocyte Precursor Cells - cytology
Granulocyte Precursor Cells - drug effects
Humans
Immune System - physiology
Immunity, Innate - drug effects
Immunity, Innate - physiology
Immunocompetence
Killer Cells, Natural - secretion
Melatonin - deficiency
Melatonin - physiology
Melatonin - secretion
Melatonin - therapeutic use
Neuroimmunomodulation - physiology
Pineal Gland - secretion
Receptors, Melatonin - drug effects
Receptors, Melatonin - physiology
Secretory Rate
Sleep - physiology
Superior Cervical Ganglion - physiology
Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic - physiology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - drug effects
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - secretion
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Summary:Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence), a condition known to correlate with increased incidence of cancer as well as infectious and degenerative diseases. Innate, cellular and humoral immunity all exhibit increased deterioration with age. Circulating melatonin decreases with age, and in recent years much interest has been focused on its immunomodulatory effect. Melatonin stimulates the production of progenitor cells for granulocytes and macrophages. It also stimulates the production of natural killer cells and CD4+ cells and inhibits CD8+ cells. The production and release of various cytokines from natural killer cells and T helper lymphocytes are enhanced by melatonin. Melatonin has the potential therapeutic value to enhance immune function in aged individuals.
ISSN:1021-7401
1423-0216
DOI:10.1159/000156470