Melatonin increases collagen content accumulation and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 secretion in cultured human cardiac fibroblasts.

Background: The extracellular matrix serves as a scaffold for cardiomyocytes, allowing them to work in accord. In rats, collagen metabolism within a myocardial infarction scar is regulated by melatonin. The present study determines whether melatonin influences matrix metabolism within human cardiac fibroblast cultures and examines the underlying mechanism.