The reno-pineal axis: A novel role for melatonin

Abstract

The pineal gland is a tiny endocrine gland whose physiologic role has been the focus of much research and much more speculation over the past century. This mini-review discusses recent findings which correlate melatonin and renal physiology, and postulates the presence of a "reno-pineal axis." Drawing lessons from comparative endocrinology, while quoting human data, it advocates the need to study the "reno-pineal axis" in greater detail.

Keywords

• Kidney
• melatonin
• pineal
• renal endocrinology
• reno-pineal axis