Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 28, 2024 3 hours, 33 minutes ago
Medical News:
Introduction to Melatonin Beyond Sleep
Melatonin is widely recognized as the "sleep hormone," primarily produced in the pineal gland to regulate circadian rhythms. However, recent research highlights its broader biological roles, especially in gut health. A study by researchers from the University of Fribourg, ETH Zurich, and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute uncovers its production in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and explores its potential as a therapeutic tool for various health conditions.
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Melatonin and Gut Health
This
Medical News report delves into how melatonin interacts with intestinal microbiota, its connection to circadian rhythms, and its implications for overall health.
Melatonin’s Origins and Evolution
Melatonin’s history dates back billions of years. Originally an antioxidant in primitive life forms, it evolved to synchronize biological functions in multicellular organisms. While predominantly synthesized in the pineal gland, it is also produced in the intestines, mitochondria, and even certain bacteria and fungi.
In humans, melatonin synthesis depends on dietary intake of tryptophan, a precursor amino acid found in foods like dairy, poultry, and nuts. This dietary connection links melatonin levels to nutrition and metabolic health.
Melatonin’s Multifaceted Role in Human Health
Apart from regulating sleep, melatonin acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. It supports mitochondrial function, helps maintain cellular homeostasis, and influences various bodily systems, including the cardiovascular and immune systems. Importantly, the GI tract has been identified as a key site for melatonin production, with levels far exceeding those in the pineal gland.
The study reveals that the intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in this process. Microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids stimulate melatonin production by enterochromaffin cells in the gut. These insights open avenues for addressing health disorders linked to microbiota imbalance or circadian rhythm disruptions.
The Gut-Melatonin Connection
Researchers explored how gut microbiota influence melatonin synthesis and its systemic effects. The findings indicate that:
-Microbial Metabolism and Melatonin: Certain gut bacteria produce melatonin or its precursors. For example, species like Rhodospirillum rubrum synthesize melatonin under darkness, while others metabolize tryptophan to support its production.
-Bile Acid Interplay: The liver metabolizes circulating melatonin, which is excreted into the intestine via bile. Here, microbial enz
ymes deconjugate melatonin derivatives, allowing reabsorption and maintaining systemic levels.
-Impact on Gut Health: Melatonin modulates microbial activity, enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria while inhibiting harmful pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It also reduces inflammation by regulating immune pathways.
Implications for Therapy
The study underscores melatonin’s potential to treat conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, and neuropsychiatric disorders. It highlights how dietary interventions or probiotics could modulate melatonin levels for therapeutic benefits.
Key Study Findings
-Microbial Contribution: Bacteria like R. rubrum and Pseudomonas fluorescens produce melatonin, impacting both local and systemic levels.
-Protective Effects: In animal models, melatonin supplementation mitigated the effects of toxins and stressors on gut health, reducing inflammation and restoring microbial diversity.
-Circadian Synchronization: Melatonin’s bidirectional relationship with gut microbiota underscores its role in maintaining circadian rhythm stability. For instance, jet-lagged mice receiving melatonin exhibited restored gut microbial balance and improved systemic health markers.
-Antimicrobial Properties: Melatonin selectively inhibits harmful pathogens while fostering the growth of beneficial microbes, creating a balanced gut ecosystem.
Conclusion
The findings reveal melatonin’s profound influence on gut health and its therapeutic potential. By targeting the gut microbiota, melatonin could address conditions linked to dysbiosis and disrupted circadian rhythms. Further research could refine its applications in medicine, offering new strategies for managing gut-related disorders.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1038/s41522-024-00605-6
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