Is there a role for melatonin in the ICU?

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Authors

Richards, Guy A.
Bentley, A.
Gopalan, P.D.
Brannigan, L.
Paruk, Fathima

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Journal ISSN

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Publisher

Health and Medical Publishing Group

Abstract

In the last decade, there have been significant developments in the understanding of the hormone melatonin in terms of its physiology, regulatory role and potential utility in various domains of clinical medicine. Melatonin’s purported properties include, among others, regulation of mitochondrial function, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects, sleep promotion and immune enhancement. As such, its role has been explored specifically in the critical care setting in terms of many of these properties. This review addresses the physiological basis for considering melatonin in the critical care setting as well as the current evidence pertaining to its potential utility.

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Keywords

Melatonin, Sleep, Delirium, Sepsis, Intensive care unit (ICU)

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Citation

Richards, G.A., Bentley, A., Gopalan, P.D., et al. Is there a role for melatonin in the ICU? Southern African Journal of Critical Care 2021, vol. 37, no. 2, pp.77-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAJCC.2021.v37i2.490.