Melatonin and its role in oxidative stress related diseases of oral cavity.

Dec 6, 2007Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

Melatonin and its role in diseases of the mouth involving oxidative stress

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Abstract

Melatonin may play a significant role in combating oxidative stress and inflammation in the oral cavity.

The oral cavity is associated with various systemic diseases, including those affecting the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and immune systems.
Recent findings suggest that the oral cavity may be a site of oxidative stress and periodontal inflammation, rather than just a source of bacteria and toxins.
Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland and entero-endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract, exhibits potent antioxidant and immuno-modulatory properties.
This indole's ability to penetrate cell membranes may enhance its therapeutic potential in treating dental disorders.
Melatonin could be beneficial in managing oral cavity damage from mechanical, bacterial, fungal, or viral sources, as well as promoting bone formation in various conditions.

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The role of the oral cavity in the pathogenesis of diseases of various systems such as the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT), cardiovascular and immune systems has been recently evaluated. While initially the oral cavity was considered to be mainly a source of various bacteria, their toxins and antigens, recent studies showed that it may also be a location of oxidative stress and periodontal inflammation. Accordingly, this review focuses on the involvement of melatonin (MT) in oxidative stress diseases of oral cavity as well as on potential therapeutic implications of MT in dental disorders, especially in periodontal inflammation. MT is generated and released by pineal gland and by entero-endocrine (EE) cells located in the GIT. The pattern of MT secretion from the pineal gland is controlled by an endogenous circadian timing system that conveys information about the light/dark cycle to various organs of the body, thereby organizing its seasonal and circadian rhythms. The secretion of MT from the EE cells of GIT is related mainly to feeding periods. MT is a non-toxic highly lipophilic indole, and this feature facilitates its penetration through cell membranes and its compartments. However, the most important effect of MT seems to result from its potent antioxidant, immuno-modulatory, protective and anti-cancer properties. It stimulates synthesis of type I collagen fibers and promotes bone formation. Thus, MT could be used therapeutically for instance, locally, in the oral cavity damage of mechanical, bacterial, fungal or viral origin, in post-surgical wounds caused by tooth extractions and other oral surgeries and, in helping bone formation in various auto-immunological disorders such as Sjorgen syndrome, in periodontal diseases, and in oral cancers.

Melatonin and its role in oxidative stress related diseases of oral cavity.

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