Protective role of melatonin on retinal ganglionar cell: In vitro an in vivo evidences.

Oxidative stress triggers ocular neurodegenerative diseases, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration. The increase of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) causes damage to the structure and function of the axons that make up the optic nerve, leading to cell death arising from apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy in the RCGs. The use of antioxidants to prevent visual neurodegenerative pathologies is a novel and possibly valuable therapeutic strategy.

Melatonin and periodontal tissues: Molecular and clinical perspectives.

Periodontal disease is a frequent chronic inflammatory pathology that implies the destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth, which represents a high sanitary cost. It usually appears associated with other systemic conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, depression and Alzheimer disease among others. The presence of melatonin and its receptors in the oral cavity supports the hypothesis that this hormone could play a role in homeostasis of periodontal tissues.

Arrhythmic rats after SCN lesions and constant light differ in short time scale regulation of locomotor activity.

Circadian rhythm disruption (i.e., arrhythmicity) in motor activity is an abnormal behavioral pattern.

Effect of melatonin and diazepam on the dissociated circadian rhythm in rats.

The main structures involved in the circadian system in mammals are the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. The SCN contain multiple autonomous single-cell circadian oscillators that are coupled among themselves, generating a single rhythm. However, under determined circumstances, the oscillators may uncouple and generate several rhythmic patterns.