Lewinski Andrzej, Karbownik Malgorzata
Department of Thyroidology, Institute of Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Apr;23 Suppl 1:73-8.
This review briefly summarizes the published data on relationships observed between melatonin - the main pineal hormone, and the thyroid gland. The prevailing part of the survey is devoted to thyroid growth processes and function. A large experimental evidence exists suggesting the inhibitory action of melatonin on thyroid growth and function; this effect has been revealed by using different experimental models: by chronic and short-term melatonin administration in vivo, by light restriction, which is known to increase the activity of the pineal gland, by pinealectomy, etc., as well as by employing the in vitro conditions. Thus, much information has been accumulated, indicating - in experimental conditions - a mutual relationship between the pineal gland and the thyroid. The confirmation of these relations in clinical studies in humans meets numerous difficulties, resulting - among others - from the fact that, nowadays, human beings, as well as certain animal species, used in experimental studies, have been living far away from their natural and original habitat. It makes almost impossible to compare the results obtained in particular studies performed in different species, on the pineal-thyroid interrelationship.
本综述简要总结了已发表的关于褪黑素（主要的松果体激素）与甲状腺之间关系的数据。调查的主要部分致力于甲状腺的生长过程和功能。大量实验证据表明褪黑素对甲状腺生长和功能具有抑制作用；这种作用已通过不同的实验模型得以揭示：通过在体内长期和短期给予褪黑素、通过限制光照（已知这会增加松果体的活性）、通过松果体切除等，以及通过体外实验条件。因此，已经积累了大量信息，表明在实验条件下松果体与甲状腺之间存在相互关系。在人体临床研究中证实这些关系面临诸多困难，其中一个原因是，如今，用于实验研究的人类以及某些动物物种，其生活环境已远离自然和原始栖息地。这使得几乎无法比较在不同物种中进行的关于松果体 - 甲状腺相互关系的特定研究所得出的结果。
