Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

A Simple and Efficient Method for In Vivo Cardiac-specific Gene Manipulation by Intramyocardial Injection in Mice
06:42

A Simple and Efficient Method for In Vivo Cardiac-specific Gene Manipulation by Intramyocardial Injection in Mice

Published on: April 16, 2018

Hyperglycemia-related pathophysiologic mechanisms and potential beneficial actions of melatonin

Ahmet Korkmaz1, Turgut Topal, Sukru Oter

  • 1Gulhane Askeri Tip Akademisi, Fizyoloji Anabilim Dali, 06018 Ankara, Turkey.

Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
|October 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

High blood glucose causes cellular damage via oxidative stress. Melatonin, an indolamine, protects against this toxicity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cellular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Chronically elevated blood glucose (hyperglycemia) triggers harmful processes involving toxic reactive species.
  • Oxidative and nitro-oxidative stress damage essential biomolecules like lipids, proteins, and DNA.
  • These mechanisms lead to cellular dysfunction, apoptosis, or necrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of melatonin against hyperglycemia-induced cellular toxicity.
  • To explore the underlying mechanisms of melatonin's beneficial actions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, and melatonin.
  • Analysis of melatonin's biochemical and cellular properties.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin, a multifunctional indolamine, counteracts key pathophysiologic steps in hyperglycemia.
  • Its beneficial effects stem from potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and potential epigenetic regulatory properties.
  • Melatonin mitigates cellular damage induced by hyperglycemia.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin demonstrates significant therapeutic potential against hyperglycemia-induced cellular toxicity.
  • This non-toxic indolamine can be considered as a sole or adjunctive treatment to inhibit the adverse effects of hyperglycemia.

More Related Videos

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption12:02

Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

Published on: July 30, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
Hypoglycemia01:26

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Major Hormones and Their Functions01:27

Major Hormones and Their Functions

Hormones, the biochemical messengers produced by endocrine glands, are pivotal in regulating bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. Each hormone's balance is crucial; imbalances can lead to significant physiological disruptions. Major hormones include oxytocin, cortisol, epinephrine, estrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon.
Oxytocin, produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, plays a role in social bonding, childbirth, and lactation.
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:24

Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

PathophysiologyType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM ) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and progressive pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, leading to impaired glucose homeostasis. It results from interactions among genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and metabolic stressors, such as overnutrition and a sedentary lifestyle.Insulin Resistance and Glucose DysregulationEarly T2DM involves insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and the liver.