Melatonin - a sleep hormone against COVID-19: sleep, coronavirus, sars-cov-2, covid-19, melatonin:


Sleep of good quality and of appropriate length is one of the most important factors for maintaining good health. Lack of adequate sleep reduces the body's resistance, significantly increasing the risk of getting, among others for viral infection. Melatonin, a hormone produced in the pineal gland, is largely responsible for the proper sleep structure and length.

Melatonin regulates our biological clock. Her reproach after dark makes us drowsy. The high level of melatonin in the body means that the sleep has the right structure, we sleep without waking up and wake up sleepily. Recent research indicates that melatonin may support COVID-19 alleviation. In addition to its positive effects on sleep and circadian rhythm, melatonin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-regulating effects. In addition, according to researchers in children, COVID-19 rarely shows acute symptoms due to high levels of melatonin. Whereas people over 55 years of age and older who have severe COVID-19 symptoms have much lower melatonin levels than children.

COVID-19 has excessive inflammation, oxidative stress, and an exaggerated immune response that can lead to a cytokine storm. A cytokine storm can lead to acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Melatonin, as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune regulating molecule, can protect against ALI / ARDS caused by the virus. Inflammation is usually associated with increased production of cytokines and chemokines, while melatonin causes a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 and an increase in the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Viral infection is also oxidative stress. Melatonin, by regulating antioxidant enzymes (e.g. superoxide dismutase) and pro-oxidative enzymes (e.g. nitric oxide synthase), acts as a free radical scavenger. Melatonin exerts a regulatory effect on the immune system and directly enhances the immune response by improving the proliferation and maturation of T and B lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes in both bone marrow and other tissues.

The researchers point out that there is significant evidence that melatonin may contribute to the relief of viral infections and would probably also be beneficial in patients with COVID-19. Additional experiments and clinical trials are required.

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