Mishima K, Okawa M
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Akita University School of Medicine.
Nihon Rinsho. 1998 Feb;56(2):302-7.
This paper is intended to provide an overview of a physiological role of melatonin (MLT) in sleep-wake regulation. In human MLT studies, MLT has significantly increased sleepiness and fatigue during the daytime but not at night, which indicates time-dependent sleep-promoting effect of MLT. Op the other hand, MLT is known to have phase-shifting effect of biological clock. Phase response curve (PRC) for MLT administration was introduced in human studies. Successful melatonin treatments for circadian rhythm sleep-disorders based on PRC have been reported. MLT is known to decrease core body temperature. Effects of MLT on sleep-wake cycle may be mediated by a combination of sleep-promoting and phase-shifting actions and may involve the temperature lowering effect.
本文旨在概述褪黑素（MLT）在睡眠-觉醒调节中的生理作用。在人体褪黑素研究中，褪黑素显著增加了白天的嗜睡和疲劳感，但在夜间并未出现这种情况，这表明褪黑素具有时间依赖性的促睡眠作用。另一方面，已知褪黑素具有生物钟相位转移作用。人体研究中引入了褪黑素给药的相位反应曲线（PRC）。已有报道基于PRC成功进行褪黑素治疗昼夜节律性睡眠障碍的案例。已知褪黑素会降低核心体温。褪黑素对睡眠-觉醒周期的影响可能是由促睡眠和相位转移作用共同介导的，并且可能涉及体温降低效应。
