Melatonin Receptors and Their Preventive Role in Carcinogenesis

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is mainly secreted by the pineal gland at the hypothalamic level, as well as in the gastrointestinal tract. Melatonin synthesis occurs mainly at night and is inhibited by the sunlight (Axelrod et al. 1965, Pandi-Perumal et al. 2008). Epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated that high levels of melatonin decrease the risk of developing cancer (Alpert et al. 2009, Flynn-Evans et al. 2009, …