Carranza-Lira S, García López F
Gynecologic Endocrinology Service, Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia Luis Castelazo Ayala, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México.
Med Sci Monit. 2000 Nov-Dec;6(6):1209-12.
Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in the pineal gland from tryptophan. It participates in several biological processes in the human being, such as circadian sleep rhythm, mood, reproductive processes and aging. Melatonin serum levels are increased in childhood and diminish importantly in older people. Serum levels are diminished in patients with insomnia and depressive mood. Experimentally, the melatonin inhibits the growth of mammary tumors in animals. With respect to endometrial cancer and Alzheimer's disease, the information is not conclusive. No changes have been found in melatonin levels in climacterical women. So its use has not fundament in postmenopausal women, however it can only be administered for short periods of time for the treatment of some sleep disturbances.
褪黑素是一种由色氨酸在松果体中合成的激素。它参与人体的多种生物过程，如昼夜睡眠节律、情绪、生殖过程和衰老。儿童时期血清褪黑素水平会升高，而在老年人中则显著降低。失眠和情绪抑郁的患者血清水平会降低。实验表明，褪黑素可抑制动物乳腺肿瘤的生长。关于子宫内膜癌和阿尔茨海默病，相关信息尚无定论。未发现更年期女性的褪黑素水平有变化。因此，其在绝经后女性中的使用缺乏依据，不过仅在治疗某些睡眠障碍时可短期使用。
