New insights into the function of melatonin and its role in metabolic disturbances

INTRODUCTION: Melatonin is a pineal hormone that has acquired several unique modes of regulating the physiological effects in mammals due to its characteristic phylogenetic history. While melatonin exhibits immediate nocturnal effects, it also has next-day prospective effects that take place in the absence of this hormone. Besides that, the daily repetition and the annual variation in the duration of its synthesis determine its circadian and seasonal effects that characterize melatonin as a chronobiotic, a molecule that encodes time to the internal environment. Additionally, it presents transgenerational effects that are important for fetal programming, leading to a balanced energy metabolism in the adult life. AREAS COVERED: Physiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic value of melatonin in metabolism and metabolic disorders. EXPERT OPINION: The typical mechanisms of action of melatonin (immediate, prospective, chronobiotic and transgenerational) should be considered to adequately understand its physiological effects on the regulation of metabolism in humans and, as a result, to understand the metabolic pathophysiological consequences caused by its synthesis and/or signaling disturbances. That points to the importance of a broader understanding of melatonin actions, besides the classical endocrinological point of view, that would allow the clinician/research to proper interpret its role in health maintenance.