TLDR Melatonin helps regulate sleep and may aid in treating various health issues.
The document reviewed the pathways controlling melatonin secretion and its roles in the body, including synthesis in various organs and its regulation by light and dark conditions. Melatonin was found to manage disorders like depression, insomnia, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, diabetes, obesity, alopecia, migraine, cancer, and immune and cardiac disorders. It highlighted melatonin's antioxidant properties and potential in neuroprotection and CNS disorders, emphasizing the need for better alopecia treatments due to melatonin's role in hair growth and pigmentation. The review concluded by discussing age-related declines in melatonin secretion and their link to endocrine disorders in older adults.
506 citations,
January 2012 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology” Melatonin affects many body functions beyond sleep by interacting with specific receptors in various tissues.
252 citations,
January 2008 in “Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism” Melatonin in the skin helps protect against damage from stress and UV rays, and could be used to treat certain skin conditions.
128 citations,
March 2006 in “American Journal of Pathology” Prolactin contributes to hair loss by promoting hair follicle shrinkage and cell death.
92 citations,
June 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” All-trans retinoic acid causes hair loss by increasing TGF-β2 in hair follicle cells.
203 citations,
December 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Early diagnosis and treatment, using finasteride, minoxidil, or hair transplantation, improves hair loss outcomes.
159 citations,
July 2006 in “Endocrine Reviews” Estrogens significantly influence hair growth by interacting with receptors in hair follicles and may help regulate the hair growth cycle.
10 citations,
January 2009 in “Elsevier eBooks” Hair growth is influenced by hormones and goes through different phases; androgens can both promote and inhibit hair growth depending on the body area.
December 2022 in “Cureus” Hormones significantly influence hair growth, with conditions like hirsutism and patterned hair loss linked to hormone levels; more research is needed for full understanding.
30 citations,
October 2016 in “Current research in translational medicine” Hair follicles on the scalp interact with and respond to the nervous system, influencing their own behavior and growth.
209 citations,
September 2008 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Androgens can both increase and decrease hair growth in different parts of the body.
