Melatonin effect on platelets and coagulation: Implications for a prophylactic indication in COVID-19.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Severe COVID-19 is linked to significant coagulation parameter changes, with coagulopathy being a key factor in mortality.
• Elevated coagulation biomarkers in COVID-19 patients correlate with worse in-hospital outcomes.
• Mechanisms include oxidative stress, cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, and renin-angiotensin system imbalance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection induces coagulopathy.
• To explore the potential beneficial effects of melatonin in mitigating SARS-CoV-2-induced coagulopathy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on COVID-19, coagulopathy, and melatonin.
• Analysis of proposed mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 to coagulation dysfunction.
• Examination of melatonin's known roles in regulating cytokine and coagulation systems.

Main Results:

• SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers coagulopathy through various pathways, impacting patient outcomes.
• Melatonin, a neurohormone with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, influences cytokine regulation and coagulation.
• Coagulation factor activity exhibits circadian patterns, which melatonin may modulate.

Conclusions:

• Melatonin presents a potential therapeutic strategy against COVID-19-associated coagulopathy.
• Understanding melatonin's role could lead to novel treatments for severe COVID-19.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate melatonin's specific mechanisms in SARS-CoV-2 infection.