Systematic review of melatonin in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury: critical role and therapeutic opportunities

Chenguang Zhang ¹, Yumei Ma ¹, Yating Zhao ¹

⁰Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.

Frontiers in Pharmacology +

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February 20, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Melatonin effectively protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by reducing infarct volume and improving neurological function. This review comprehensively analyzes melatonin

Area Of Science

Neuroscience
Pharmacology
Cell Biology

Background

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury significantly impacts patient prognosis after stroke.
Current therapeutic options for cerebral I/R injury remain limited.
Melatonin, an endogenous hormone, shows promise in preventing I/R injury across various organs.

Purpose Of The Study

To provide a comprehensive systematic review of melatonin's neuroprotective effects in cerebral I/R injury.
To consolidate existing literature on melatonin's influence on cerebral I/R injury and ischemic stroke.
To explore the potential of melatonin in clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies for ischemic stroke.

Main Methods

Systematic review of all available scientific literature.
Collection and analysis of studies investigating melatonin's effects on cerebral I/R injury.
Inclusion of studies on melatonin's impact on ischemic stroke.

Main Results

Melatonin reduces infarct volume, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier breakdown.
It improves neurological functions following cerebral I/R injury.
Key protective mechanisms include inhibition of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, excessive autophagy, excitotoxicity, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Conclusions

Melatonin demonstrates broad neuroprotective benefits against cerebral I/R injury.
It offers promising therapeutic potential for ischemic stroke patients.
Further research into melatonin's clinical implications is warranted for personalized treatment approaches.

Keywords:

cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury ischemic stroke melatonin neuroprotection systematic review