Beyond sleep: the potent antioxidant cascade and research implications.
Melatonin directly neutralizes ROS and RNS. Its metabolites (AFMK, AMK, etc.) continue the antioxidant cascade — often more potent than the parent molecule. Dr. Reiter's "better than expected" thesis in one sentence.
Melatonin and metabolites cross the BBB and protect neurons from excitotoxicity, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and beta-amyloid aggregation in preclinical models. Relevant when night shift chronically elevates oxidative stress.
Much antioxidant action doesn't require MT1/MT2 binding. This is why melatonin's protective effects extend to tissues that don't "sleep" — including mitochondria doing dangerous work at 3 AM on your shift.