1. Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Melatonin in Hemorrhagic Stroke.
- Author
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Wu HJ, Wu C, Niu HJ, Wang K, Mo LJ, Shao AW, Dixon BJ, Zhang JM, Yang SX, and Wang YR
- Subjects
- Animals, Cerebral Hemorrhage pathology, Humans, Melatonin therapeutic use, Neuroprotective Agents therapeutic use, Signal Transduction drug effects, Signal Transduction physiology, Stroke pathology, Cerebral Hemorrhage metabolism, Cerebral Hemorrhage prevention & control, Melatonin metabolism, Neuroprotective Agents metabolism, Stroke metabolism, Stroke prevention & control
- Abstract
Hemorrhagic stroke which consists of subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage is a dominant cause of death and disability worldwide. Although great efforts have been made, the physiological mechanisms of these diseases are not fully understood and effective pharmacological interventions are still lacking. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a neurohormone produced by the pineal gland, is a broad-spectrum antioxidant and potent free radical scavenger. More importantly, there is extensive evidence demonstrating that melatonin confers neuroprotective effects in experimental models of hemorrhagic stroke. Multiple molecular mechanisms such as antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammation, contribute to melatonin-mediated neuroprotection against brain injury after hemorrhagic stroke. This review article aims to summarize current knowledge regarding the beneficial effects of melatonin in experimental models of hemorrhagic stroke and explores the underlying mechanisms. We propose that melatonin is a promising neuroprotective candidate that is worthy of further evaluation for its potential therapeutic applications in hemorrhagic stroke.
- Published
- 2017
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