[Melatonin in palate tonsils with recurrent acute tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy].

Tonsils are a point of contact between the environment and the immune system. The pineal hormone melatonin is influenced by environmental dark-light variations and modulates the immune system. We measured the amount of melatonin present in pediatric tonsillar infectious and obstructive processes. The highest levels of tonsillar melatonin were found in tonsillar hypertrophy and the lowest levels in recurrent acute tonsillitis, with or without hypertrophy. Melatonin has an immunostimulative function and an antiapoptotic effect. The relationship between low tonsillar melatonin concentrations and infection, as well as high melatonin levels and increased tonsillar size is discussed.