Impaired glucose tolerance in the blood of alloxan diabetic rats under long term melatonin injections

Abstract

An increasing number of studies have shown that melatonin, as the main product secreted by the pineal gland, plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of diabetes. Melatonin ameliorates hypertrophic growth of the myocardium induced by hyperthyroidism and provides an insight into the mechanism of reactive oxygen species-mediated downregulation of metabolically important genes such as GLUT4 in the heart. There is evidence that impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Melatonin and its metabolites have potent antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties, and they have proven to be highly effective in a variety of disorders linked to inflammation and oxidative stress. Hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress plays a crucial role in diabetic complications.