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Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption
Published on: July 30, 2016
Neuroprotective effect of melatonin: a novel therapy against perinatal hypoxia-ischemia
Daniel Alonso-Alconada1, Antonia Alvarez, Olatz Arteaga
1Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of the Basque Country, Barrio Sarriena s/n, Leioa 48940, Bizkaia, Spain. daniel.alonsoa@ehu.es.
Insights
Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) causes significant child mortality. Melatonin shows promise as a neuroprotective agent to reduce brain injury from this condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neonatology
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability in children.
- Despite advances in neonatology, the incidence of HI remains high, necessitating improved therapeutic strategies.
- Neurological sequelae of HI require effective neuroprotective interventions to minimize lifelong chronic care needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in the therapeutic use of melatonin for perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
- To explore the neuroprotective mechanisms of melatonin in the context of neonatal asphyxia.
- To assess the potential of melatonin as a feasible treatment for cerebral asphyxia.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on melatonin's neuroprotective effects.
- Analysis of research investigating melatonin's role in cell survival and physiological modulation.
- Synthesis of findings related to melatonin's efficacy against perinatal HI.
Main Results:
- Melatonin demonstrates potential neuroprotective properties against perinatal HI.
- The hormone aids cell survival through diverse physiological functions.
- Evidence supports melatonin's therapeutic interest for brain injury following asphyxia.
Conclusions:
- Melatonin is a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating neurological damage from perinatal HI.
- Further research into melatonin's mechanisms is warranted.
- Melatonin represents a feasible future strategy for managing cerebral asphyxia events.
Abstract:
One of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity in children is perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI). In spite of the advances in neonatology, its incidence is not diminishing, generating a pediatric population that will require an extended amount of chronic care throughout their lifetime. For this reason, new and more effective neuroprotective strategies are urgently required, in order to minimize as much as possible the neurological consequences of this encephalopathy. In this sense, interest has grown in the neuroprotective possibilities of melatonin, as this hormone may help to maintain cell survival through the modulation of a wide range of physiological functions. Although some of the mechanisms by which melatonin is neuroprotective after neonatal asphyxia remain a subject of investigation, this review tries to summarize some of the most recent advances related with its use as a therapeutic drug against perinatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, supporting the high interest in this indoleamine as a future feasible strategy for cerebral asphyctic events.
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