ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2025
Melatonin as the Missing Link Between Sleep Deprivation and Immune Dysregulation: A Narrative Review.
Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed.
- Allostatic and Circadian Drives in Patients with Bipolar Disorder in Depressive Episodes or with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Versus Healthy Controls: Neuroendocrine Comparison Through Cortisol and 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin Overnight Urine Excretion.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Prenatal road traffic noise impairs early testicular development in Sprague-Dawley offspring: pharmacological rescue by melatonin and edaravone; developmental preservation by environmental enrichment.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Article
- Epidemiology of food allergy in children under 3 years old in Guangdong: a community cross-sectional study.BMC pediatrics · 2026Article
- Dihydroergotamine alleviates circadian rhythm disorders through predicted interaction with to CRY1.Molecular diversity · 2026Article
- Review
- Melatonin and Indole-3-Propionic Acid Reduce Surface FcγRIII/CD16-Related Parameters in Porcine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells In Vitro.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Article
- Inflammatory Cytokine-Mediated Interactions Between Pain and Insomnia: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications.Journal of pain research · 2026Review
- When the biological clock is disordered: circadian rhythm disruption as a core pathophysiological mechanism in anxiety and depression.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Review
- Better adherence to the life's essential 8 can reduce the risk of gallstone disease: mediated by inflammation and oxidative stress.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Sleep and circadian disruption reshape immune homeostasis in oral tissues: mechanistic roles of melatonin and cortisol in periodontal disease and xerostomia.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Review
- Hormonal and Cytokine Imbalances Promote a Proinflammatory Profile in Institutionalized Elderly.Brain sciences · 2025Article
- Immunosenescence and inflammaging: Mechanisms and modulation through diet and lifestyle.Frontiers in immunology · 2025Review
- The severity of depressive symptoms as a mediator in the sleep-osteoarthritis risk pathway: insights from the ELSA cohort.Frontiers in nutrition · 2025Article
- Sleep deprivation: a comprehensive review of multisystem impacts, underlying mechanisms, and emerging interventions.Frontiers in neurologyReview
- Sleep Duration and Depression as Predictors of Cancer Incidence in Middle-aged and Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).In vivo (Athens, Greece)Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Sleep deprivation impairs immune function, and melatonin has emerged as a key mediator in this process. This narrative review analyzes 50 studies published between 2000 and 2025 to determine the extent to which reduced melatonin synthesis contributes to immune dysregulation. Consistent sleep loss lowers melatonin levels, which correlates with elevated proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6 and TNF-α), increased oxidative stress, and reduced immune cell activity, including that of natural killer (NK) cells and CD4+ lymphocytes. Melatonin regulates immune pathways, including NF-κB signaling. It also supports mitochondrial health and helps maintain gut barrier integrity. These effects are particularly relevant in vulnerable populations, including older adults and shift workers. Experimental findings also highlight melatonin's therapeutic potential in infections like SARS-CoV-2, where it modulates inflammatory responses and viral entry mechanisms. Despite the heterogeneity of study methodologies, a consistent correlation emerges between circadian disruption, melatonin suppression, and immune imbalance. These findings underscore melatonin's dual role as a chronobiotic and immunomodulator. Addressing sleep loss and considering melatonin-based interventions may help restore immune homeostasis. More clinical trials are needed to determine the best dosing, long-term efficacy, and population-specific strategies for supplementation. Promoting healthy sleep is crucial for preventing chronic inflammation and diseases associated with immune dysfunction.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.