Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.
Nutrients. 2022 Oct 1;14(19):4087. doi: 10.3390/nu14194087.
Endometriosis is defined as the development of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Pathophysiology of this disease includes abnormal hormone profiles, cell survival, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, oxidative stress, immunology, and inflammation. Melatonin is a neuroendocrine hormone that is synthesized and released primarily at night from the mammalian pineal gland. Increasing evidence has revealed that melatonin can be synthesized and secreted from multiple extra-pineal tissues where it regulates immune response, inflammation, and angiogenesis locally. Melatonin receptors are expressed in the uterus, and the therapeutic effects of melatonin on endometriosis and other reproductive disorders have been reported. In this review, key information related to the metabolism of melatonin and its biological effects is summarized. Furthermore, the latest in vitro and in vivo findings are highlighted to evaluate the pleiotropic functions of melatonin, as well as to summarize its physiological and pathological effects and treatment potential in endometriosis. Moreover, the pharmacological and therapeutic benefits derived from the administration of exogenous melatonin on reproductive system-related disease are discussed to support the potential of melatonin supplements toward the development of endometriosis. More clinical trials are needed to confirm its therapeutic effects and safety.
子宫内膜异位症是指子宫内膜腺体和基质在子宫腔外的发展。这种疾病的病理生理学包括异常的激素谱、细胞存活、迁移、侵袭、血管生成、氧化应激、免疫学和炎症。褪黑素是一种神经内分泌激素，主要在夜间由哺乳动物的松果体合成和释放。越来越多的证据表明，褪黑素可以在多个松果体外组织中合成和分泌，在这些组织中，它可以调节局部的免疫反应、炎症和血管生成。褪黑素受体在子宫中表达，褪黑素对子宫内膜异位症和其他生殖障碍的治疗作用已被报道。在这篇综述中，总结了与褪黑素代谢及其生物学效应相关的关键信息。此外，还强调了最新的体外和体内发现，以评估褪黑素的多效功能，并总结其在子宫内膜异位症中的生理和病理作用及治疗潜力。此外，还讨论了外源性褪黑素给药对生殖系统相关疾病的药理和治疗益处，以支持褪黑素补充剂在子宫内膜异位症发展中的潜力。需要更多的临床试验来证实其治疗效果和安全性。
