Roles of melatonin in maintaining mitochondrial welfare: focus on renal cells

Abstract

Current knowledge highlights aspects never before suspected of melatonin, a know chrono-regulatory hormone initially described in the pineal gland is present in most tissues and fulfills fundamental protective functions in vital organelles such as mitochondria. In this sense, recent findings show that alterations of mitochondrial function are closely related to loss of melatonin regulation. This chapter describes the most innovative aspects of melatonin for mitochondrial welfare, with particular emphasis on the renal cells. Alterations in the mitochondrial signaling pathways associated with the loss of melatonin-mediated regulation induce in renal cells a functional decoupling with the development of renal and finally cardiovascular tissue pathology. Although it is an endogenous compound, melatonin would be a useful exogenous pharmacological tool for many diseases; however, additional clinical trials are needed to demonstrate its translational power.