Abstract
Melatonin (MLT) "N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine"; a pineal hormone; has a diurnal variation and may be necessary for the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and peripheral tissue's molecular circadian clocks to be synchronized, has powerful receptor-dependent and receptor-independent effects on a number of cardiovascular (CV) variables, including endothelial cells function, thrombus formation, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR). MLT possesses antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, chronobiotic, and perhaps epigenetics regulatory characteristics. Low blood concentrations of MLT have been found in persons who have coronary artery disease (CAD), arterial hypertension (HT), and congestive cardiac failure. The physiological function of endogenous MLT and its circadian rhythm in the human CV system is reviewed in this article.
