Brown G M
Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario.
J Psychiatry Neurosci. 1994 Nov;19(5):345-53.
Blood levels of the pineal hormone melatonin are high at night and low during the day. Its secretion is regulated by a rhythm-generating system located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which is in turn regulated by light. Melatonin is regulated not only by that circadian oscillator but acts as a darkness signal, providing feedback to the oscillator. Melatonin has both a soporific effect and an ability to entrain the sleep-wake rhythm. It also has a major role in regulating the body temperature rhythm. Melatonin rhythms are altered in a variety of circadian rhythm disorders. Melatonin treatment has been reported to be effective in treatment of disorders such as jet lag and delayed sleep phase syndrome.
松果体激素褪黑素的血药浓度在夜间较高,白天较低。其分泌受位于下丘脑视交叉上核的节律产生系统调节,而该系统又受光的调节。褪黑素不仅受昼夜节律振荡器的调节,还作为黑暗信号,为振荡器提供反馈。褪黑素具有催眠作用,并能调节睡眠-觉醒节律。它在调节体温节律方面也起着重要作用。在多种昼夜节律紊乱中,褪黑素节律会发生改变。据报道,褪黑素治疗对诸如时差反应和睡眠相位延迟综合征等疾病有效。