Main Article Content

Is there a role for melatonin in the ICU?


G.A. Richards
A. Bentley
P.D. Gopalan
L. Brannigan
F. Paruk

Abstract

In the last decade, there have been significant developments in the understanding of the hormone melatonin in terms of its physiology, regulatory role  and potential utility in various domains of clinical medicine. Melatonin’s purported properties include, among others, regulation of mitochondrial  function, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects, sleep promotion and immune enhancement. As such, its role has been explored  specifically in the critical care setting in terms of many of these properties. This review addresses the physiological basis for considering melatonin in the  critical care setting as well as the current evidence pertaining to its potential utility.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2078-676X
print ISSN: 1562-8264