Abstract
Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence), a condition known to correlate with increased incidence of cancer as well as infectious and degenerative diseases. Innate, cellular and humoral immunity all exhibit increased deterioration with age. Circulating melatonin decreases with age, and in recent years much interest has been focused on its immunomodulatory effect. Melatonin stimulates the production of progenitor cells for granulocytes and macrophages. It also stimulates the production of natural killer cells and CD4+ cells and inhibits CD8+ cells. The production and release of various cytokines from natural killer cells and T helper lymphocytes are enhanced by melatonin. Melatonin has the potential therapeutic value to enhance immune function in aged individuals.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
MeSH terms
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
-
Aged
-
Aged, 80 and over
-
Aging / physiology*
-
Circadian Rhythm
-
Cytokines / physiology
-
Granulocyte Precursor Cells / cytology
-
Granulocyte Precursor Cells / drug effects
-
Humans
-
Immune System / physiology*
-
Immunity, Innate / drug effects
-
Immunity, Innate / physiology
-
Immunocompetence
-
Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism
-
Melatonin / deficiency
-
Melatonin / metabolism
-
Melatonin / physiology*
-
Melatonin / therapeutic use
-
Neuroimmunomodulation / physiology*
-
Pineal Gland / metabolism
-
Receptors, Melatonin / drug effects
-
Receptors, Melatonin / physiology
-
Secretory Rate
-
Sleep / physiology
-
Superior Cervical Ganglion / physiology
-
Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / physiology
-
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
-
T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
Substances
-
Adjuvants, Immunologic
-
Cytokines
-
Receptors, Melatonin
-
Melatonin