Abstract:
In the last decade, there have been significant developments in the understanding of the hormone melatonin in terms of its physiology, regulatory
role and potential utility in various domains of clinical medicine. Melatonin’s purported properties include, among others, regulation of
mitochondrial function, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuro-protective effects, sleep promotion and immune enhancement. As such, its
role has been explored specifically in the critical care setting in terms of many of these properties. This review addresses the physiological basis for
considering melatonin in the critical care setting as well as the current evidence pertaining to its potential utility.
