Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Melatonin may save eyesight in inflammatory disease

Melatonin may save eyesight in inflammatory disease

November 24, 2008

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Current research suggests that melatonin therapy may help treat uveitis, a common inflammatory eye disease. The related report by Sande et al., "Therapeutic Effect of Melatonin in Experimental Uveitis," appears in the December issue of The American Journal of Pathology.

People with uveitis develop sudden redness and pain in their eyes, and their vision rapidly deteriorates. Untreated, uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss, accounting for an estimated 10-15% of cases of blindness in the US. Uveitis has a wide variety of causes, including eye injury, cancer, infection, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. There is currently no optimal treatment for uveitis. Corticoid steroid eye drops are often used; however, long-term corticoid use has many negative side effects, including the possible development of glaucoma.




Researchers lead by Dr. Ruth Rosenstein of The University of Buenos Aires and The National Research Council (CONICET) hypothesized that melatonin, which regulates sleep/wake cycles and reduces jet lag, may be able to prevent the ocular inflammation in uveitis. They found in an experimental model of uveitis that levels of two factors that contribute to inflammation, TNFα and NFκB, were reduced with melatonin treatment. Importantly, melatonin treatment also decreased the appearance of clinical symptoms of uveitis such as inflammation, blood vessel expansion and cataract, and protected the blood-ocular barrier integrity.

Taken together, the data from Sande et al suggest that "melatonin, which lacks adverse collateral effects even at high doses, could be a promising resource in the management of uveitis. Alone or combined with corticosteroid therapy, the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin may benefit patients with chronic uveitis and decrease the rate and degree of corticosteroid-induced complications." Future studies will aim at understanding the mechanisms governing melatonin protection in the eye.

American Journal of Pathology



Related Melatonin Current Events and Melatonin News Articles Melatonin Current Events and Melatonin News RSS Melatonin Current Events and Melatonin News RSS
Mary had a lot of lambs: Researchers identify way to accelerate sheep breeding
Mary had a little lamb, but only once a year. However, Cornell Sheep Program researchers have discovered an unusual form of a gene that prompts ewes to breed out of season as well as conceive at younger ages and more frequently.

105-Day Mars Simulation: U.S. studies focus on improving work performance
From March 31 to July 14, a six-man international crew called an isolation chamber in Moscow their home. The crew, composed of four Russians and two Europeans, simulated a 105-day Mars mission full of experiments and realistic mission scenarios, including emergency situations and 20-minute communications delays.

Hormone treatment eases post-surgery distress in children
A scary unknown for many children, the prospect of surgery can cause intense preoperative anxiety.

Melatonin is an effective treatment for sleep problems in children with autism
A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine determined that over-the-counter melatonin medication can shorted the length of time it takes for children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), or both to fall asleep at the beginning of the night.

Melatonin may be served as a potential anti-fibrotic drug
In China, the incidence of liver cirrhosis is still high. Liver cirrhosis results from fibrosis. If treated properly at fibrosis stage, cirrhosis can be prevented.

Preventium is 'where the prevention of breast and prostate cancer begins'
Dr. Ercole Cavalieri and Dr. Eleanor Rogen of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer, located in Omaha, Nebraska, have identified the triggering mechanism by which breast and prostate cancer cells begin.

New genes present drug targets for managing cholesterol and glucose levels
Scientists have identified 12 new genes that are somewhat strange bedfellows: Some link gallstones and blood cholesterol levels, others link melatonin and sleep patterns to small increases in glucose levels and larger jumps in the risk of diabetes.

Body clock linked to diabetes and high blood sugar in new study
Diabetes and high levels of blood sugar may be linked to abnormalities in a person's body clock and sleep patterns, according to a genome-wide association study published today in the journal Nature Genetics.

Discovery of new gene associated with diabetes risk suggests link with body clock
A connection between the body clock and abnormalities in metabolism and diabetes has been suggested in new research by an international team involving the University of Oxford, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and the MRC Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge.

New medication brings hope of jet lag cure
A team of researchers from Monash University, The Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston), Harvard Medical School and Vanda Pharmaceuticals has found a new drug with the potential to alleviate jet lag and sleep disorders caused by shift work.
More Melatonin Current Events and Melatonin News Articles
Schiff Melatonin Plus 3 mg Melatonin with 25 mg Theanine - For Stress Relief and a Sounder Sleep - 300 Tablets

Schiff Melatonin Plus 3 mg Melatonin with 25 mg Theanine - For Stress Relief and a Sounder Sleep - 300 Tablets
by Schiff

Melatonin is a metabolic hormone made in the pineal gland, retina, and intestines. Melatonin is released into the blood stream by the pineal gland (which resides in the brain) to set your bodys biological clock and initiate sleep. Darkness stimulates the pineal gland and causes it to produce more melatonin. Day light stops your bodys production of melatonin. Melatonin helps to promote healthy sleep patterns.* Melatonin also protects cells from free radical damage, and directs the release of growth and sex hormones.* Vitamin B6 plays an important role in brain chemistry and nervous system function.* *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Natrol Melatonin TR 5mg-100 Tablets

Natrol Melatonin TR 5mg-100 Tablets
by Natrol

Natrol introduces new Melatonin Time Release. This biphasic delivery system releases melatonin quickly and then steadily to help you fall asleep fast and stay asleep all night. The body naturally releases melatonin in response to changes in melatonin helps promote sleep. This product is intended for occasional sleeplessness.



* Picture may be of different size or flavor

Source Naturals Melatonin, 5 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets

Source Naturals Melatonin, 5 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Suitable for vegetarians and hypoallergenic: contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Source Naturals Melatonin, Time Release, 3 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets

Source Naturals Melatonin, Time Release, 3 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Source Naturals timed release melatonin is formulated to allow for a gradual release of the active ingredients during an approximate six hour period. This provides the body with a more even absorption of melatonin. Suitable for vegetarians and hypoallergenic: contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Source Naturals Melatonin, Peppermint, 2.5 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets

Source Naturals Melatonin, Peppermint, 2.5 mg, Tablets, 240 tablets
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Peppermint flavored sublingual. The Benefit of Sublinguals: Some nutrients may break down during liver metabolism. The sublingual form us absorbed directly into the bloodstream, via the blood vessels under the tongue and in the cheeks, bypassing the liver and allowing for quick entry into the system. Suitable for vegetarians. Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn or wheat. Contains no sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Natrol Melatonin 3mg 240 Tablets

Natrol Melatonin 3mg 240 Tablets
by NATROL



Source Naturals Melatonin, Liquid Sublingual, Natural Orange Flavor, 4-Ounce (Pack of 2)

Source Naturals Melatonin, Liquid Sublingual, Natural Orange Flavor, 4-Ounce (Pack of 2)
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Suitable for vegetarians. Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, soy or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.

Melatonin 1 mg 120 Caps

Melatonin 1 mg 120 Caps
by Swanson Premium Brand

As recently confirmed in the news, sleepless nights can take a toll on health! Melatonin is a hormone that helps control the sleep/wake cycle. Supplementing with small amounts of this important substance may help restore normal sleep patterns while providing excellent antioxidant support.

Source Naturals NightRest with Melatonin, Tablets, 200 tablets

Source Naturals NightRest with Melatonin, Tablets, 200 tablets
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. Multi-nutrient & herb complex. Bio Align. NightRest combines the powerful properties of melatonin and GABA with key amino acids soothing herbs. This uniquely comprehensive combination utilizes cutting edges technology and traditional herbalism to create a potent and relaxing nighttime formula (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease).

Source Naturals 5-HTP, 100 mg, Capsules, 120 capsules

Source Naturals 5-HTP, 100 mg, Capsules, 120 capsules
by Source Naturals

Dietary supplement. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan supports normal sleep cycles. 5-HP (L-5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an intermediate in the natural conversion of the essential amino acid, tryptophan, to serotonin. Clinical studies have shown that 5-HTP increases the amount and availability of serotonin produced by the body. Increased brain serotonin levels may produce positive effects on emotional well-being, appetite regulation, melatonin production and maintaining a healthy sleep cycle. Source Naturals 5-HTP is naturally derived from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.) Hypoallergenic: Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten,...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com