Melatonin, mitochondrial homeostasis and mitochondrial-related diseases.

Castroviejo Darío Acuña, Germaine Escames, Angel Carazo, Josefa León, Huda Khaldy, Russel J. Reiter

Research output: Contribution to journalReview article

125 Scopus citations


The recently described 'hydrogen hypothesis' invokes metabolic symbiosis as the driving force for a symbiotic association between an anaerobic, strictly hydrogen-dependent organism (the host) and an eubacterium (the symbiont) that is able to respire, but which generates molecular hydrogen as an end product of anaerobic metabolism. The resulting proto-eukaryotic cell would have acquired the essentials of eukaryotic energy metabolism, evolving not only aerobic respiration, but also the cost of oxygen consumption, i.e., generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Mitochondria contain their own genome with a modified genetic code that is highly conserved among mammals. Control of gene expression suggests that transcription of certain mitochondrial genes may be regulated in response to the redox potential of the mitochondrial membrane. Mitochondria are involved in energy production and conservation, and they have an uncoupling mechanism to produce heat instead of ATP. Also, mitochondria are involved in programmed cell death. Increasing evidence suggests the participation of mitochondria in neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases involving alterations in both nuclear (nDNA) and mitochondrial (mtDNA) DNA. Melatonin is now known as a powerful antioxidant and increasing experimental evidence shows its beneficial effects against oxidative stress-induced macromolecular damage and diseases, including those in which mitochondrial function is affected. This review summarizes the data and mechanisms of action of melatonin in relation to mitochondrial pathologies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)133-151
Number of pages19
JournalCurrent topics in medicinal chemistry
Issue number2
StatePublished - Feb 2002


ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Drug Discovery

Cite this

Acuña, C. D., Escames, G., Carazo, A., León, J., Khaldy, H., & Reiter, R. J. (2002). Melatonin, mitochondrial homeostasis and mitochondrial-related diseases. Current topics in medicinal chemistry, 2(2), 133-151.