Melatonin, Its Metabolites and Their Interference with Reactive Nitrogen Compounds

Melatonin and several of its metabolites are interfering with reactive nitrogen. With the notion of prevailing melatonin formation in tissues that exceeds by far the quantities in blood, metabolites come into focus that are poorly found in the circulation. Apart from their antioxidant actions, both melatonin and N-1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK) downregulate inducible and inhibit neuronal NO synthases, and additionally scavenge NO. However, the NO adduct of melatonin redonates NO, whereas AMK forms with NO a stable product. Many other melatonin metabolites formed in oxidative processes also contain nitrosylatable sites. Moreover, AMK readily scavenges products of the CO2-adduct of peroxynitrite such as carbonate radicals and NO2. Protein AMKylation seems to be involved in protective actions.

Automated summary

Melatonin and its metabolites interfere with reactive nitrogen, with metabolites mainly found in tissues rather than in the circulation. They possess antioxidant properties, downregulate NO synthases, scavenge NO, and play protective roles in oxidative processes.