Öztürk G.2024-07-122024-07-1220091300-0292https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12415/9161Why do we age? Why do some people seem to age faster than others? Aging results from a complex interplay between multiple different mechanisms. Over the years, researchers have put forth several theories of aging. The most widely accepted theories on the mechanism of aging are error theories and program theories. Melatonin is the main neurohormone of the pineal gland. The pineal gland shrinks with age, so melatonin production declines as we age. The pineal gland is directly involved in the aging process. Being a powerful antioxidant, melatonin may act against age-related oxidative damage. Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element. Zn levels also decrease with age. The pineal gland is involved in Zn metabolism. The effect of melatonin on immune functions is partly attributed to an interaction with Zn. Melatonin and Zn treatment in old mice restored the reduced immunological functions. There is a tight relationship between melatonin and Zn. Melatonin and Zn supplementation may postpone aging. Copyright © 2009 by Türkiye Klinikleri.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAgingMelatoninZincConference ObjectS57SUPPL.Q4S5429