The role of melatonin as a link between head injury and enhanced osteogenesis.

We hypothesize that in the case of an individual with a head injury, melatonin can enhance osteogenesis. In virtually all species to date whether nocturnal or diurnal, melatonin is synthesized and secreted during the dark phase of the day. In traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhages, in the hypothalamic syndrome, the melatonin content was very high in liquor. This was determined by a fluorimetric method, especially modified for this purpose. Osteoblastic activity rises with the increase of melatonin. Healing of a fracture of long or large bone can often be accelerated in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. However, a melatonin which could perhaps induce enhanced osteogenesis has not yet been identified. Melatonin might cause early bone healing and hypertrophic callus.