Karasek Michal, Reiter Russel J
Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Chair of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Czechoslowacka 8/10, Poland.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Apr;23 Suppl 1:14-6.
Although many theories relating the pineal secretory product melatonin to aging have been put forward, the role of this agent in the aging process is not clear. However, there are several reasons to postulate a role for melatonin in this process. Melatonin levels fall gradually over the life-span. Melatonin is a potent free radical scavenger. Melatonin deficiency is related to suppressed immunocompetence. In at least one animal model melatonin supplementation increased life-span although several other studies have failed. The aging process is multifactorial, and no single element seems to be of basic importance. It seems, however, that although melatonin can not be univocally recognized as a substance delaying aging, some of its actions may be beneficial for the process of aging. However, the precise role of melatonin in the aging process remains to be determined.
尽管已经提出了许多将松果体分泌产物褪黑素与衰老联系起来的理论，但这种物质在衰老过程中的作用尚不清楚。然而，有几个理由推测褪黑素在这个过程中发挥作用。褪黑素水平在整个生命周期中逐渐下降。褪黑素是一种强大的自由基清除剂。褪黑素缺乏与免疫能力抑制有关。在至少一种动物模型中，补充褪黑素延长了寿命，尽管其他几项研究未能得出相同结果。衰老过程是多因素的，似乎没有一个单一因素具有根本重要性。然而，尽管褪黑素不能被明确认定为延缓衰老的物质，但其某些作用可能对衰老过程有益。然而，褪黑素在衰老过程中的确切作用仍有待确定。
