Melatonin in aging women.

Melatonin is a neurohormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland that controls circadian rhythm, which is primarily regulated by light. Although melatonin levels are known to be altered in individuals with sleep disorders, melatonin also has modulatory effects on other body systems, including the skeletal and immune systems. In addition, melatonin has been shown to interfere with carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and to have significant antioxidant effects, both directly and via its metabolites. Melatonin levels vary throughout human life and are known to decrease with age but the effects of declining melatonin levels are poorly understood. In women, this age-related decrease in melatonin levels coincides with the menopause. This review aims to summarize the impact of altered melatonin levels in aging women and the outcomes of exogenous replacement therapies.