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Role of melatonin in blood pressure regulation: An adjunct anti‐hypertensive agent
Author(s) -
Baker Jacquie,
Kimpinski Kurt
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1681.12942
Subject(s) - melatonin , melatonin receptor , medicine , blood pressure , vasoconstriction , vasodilation , circadian rhythm , pathophysiology of hypertension , hormone , endocrinology
Summary Cardiovascular diseases account for approximately one‐third of all deaths each year. Of this, hypertension accounts for approximately 9.4 million deaths. Melatonin, the primary circadian hormone, has been substantiated as an effective and safe adjunct anti‐hypertensive agent. In support of this, melatonin receptors have been identified within the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the cardiovascular system, including various vascular tissues. Therefore, it is not surprising that recent research has emerged highlighting a key role of melatonin in autonomic regulation of blood pressure. In animals, pinealectomies elicit peripheral vasoconstriction and hypertension. In studies involving humans, both healthy controls and patient populations of essential and nocturnal hypertension, melatonin administration demonstrates significant hypotensive effects that yield clinically significant results. However, the precise mechanism by which melatonin elicits its hypotensive effects in humans require further investigation. This review focuses on melatonin, its role within the cardiovascular system and the emerging implications for its use as an anti‐hypertensive agent. Additionally, this review will discuss the current thinking on potential mechanisms behind the hypotensive effects of melatonin including: endothelium‐dependent vasodilation, anti‐oxidant defence mechanisms and sympatho‐vagal autonomic regulation.