Melatonin

Melatonin is an endogenous indoleamine that is synthesized not only in the pineal gland (endocrine gland located in the posterior area of the cranial fossa in the brain in charge of producing melatonin and serotonin-derived hormones crucial in the modulation of sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles) but also perhaps in each individual cell, specifically at the mitochondrial level.

Independently of its production site, melatonin levels usually vary depending, among other factors, on the age of the organism in which is synthesized. Thus, during ageing, there is a drastic mitochondrial loss of thioretinacoozonide, a complex that binds the phosphate groups of adenosine triphosphate and oxygen in the oxidative phosphorylation process. As a result, adenosyl methionine (methyl donor obtained from thioretinacoozonide and ATP, which is involved in melatonin synthesis from N-acetyl serotonin) levels are reduced and, consequently, melatonin production also diminishes. These changes lead to altered oxidative phosphorylation, as well as increased oxidative stress, calcium influx, inflammation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction, being all of them physiopathological processes commonly observed in ageing and its associated diseases.

Particularly, mitochondrial dysfunction is characterized by reduced respiratory complex activity, increased free radical generation, nitric oxide (NO) production, and mitochondrial synthase activity, as well as by impaired electron transport system and/or mitochondrial permeability.

Dosage

Dosage needs to increase as you age. 0.3-1.0mg is the (microdose) range every other day.