Melatonin and periodontal tissues: Molecular and clinical perspectives

Periodontal disease is a frequent chronic inflammatory pathology that implies the destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth, which represents a high sanitary cost. It usually appears associated with other systemic conditions such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, depression and Alzheimer disease among others. The presence of melatonin and its receptors in the oral cavity supports the hypothesis that this hormone could play a role in homeostasis of periodontal tissues. In the present review we will discuss the potential role of melatonin, a circadian synchronizing hormone, with proved antiinflammatory and antioxidant profile, in the pathogenesis and treatment of periodontitis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the indolamine in the treatment of periodontal disease when this oral condition is comorbid with other pathologies that would also benefit from the therapeutic potential of melatonin and its analogs through diverse mechanisms.Fil: Carpentieri, Agata Rita. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba;Facultad de Ciencias Médicas;Cátedra de Bioquímica Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Peralta López, María Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología; Argentina. Hospital San Roque; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar, Javier. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología; ArgentinaFil: Solá, Verónica Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Odontología; Argentin