MELATONIN, SERUM LIPIDS, AND ATHEROSCLEROSIS: A REVIEW OF CLINICAL STUDIES
The article includes a general information on melatonin - its content in the human body, regulation of secretion, clinical effects. Taking into account the antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of melatonin, clinical studies of the influence of melatonin on serum lipid profile and atherosclerosis in humans have been reviewed. The results of the clinical studies, particularly of placebo-controlled ones (N=4), appeared to be inconclusive towards the efficacy of melatonin for the lowering of cholesterol levels and normalization of the blood lipid profile.