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Autoimmune hepatitis in association with ramelteon.

Journal of clinical gastroenterology
August 1, 2013
Lindsay T Fourman et al. (2 authors)
Case ReportsJournal ArticleHuman Study
Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Ramelteon
decrease
abuse potential and residual effects
-
-
lacks
#1
Ramelteon
neutral
the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus
-
-
targets
#2
Ramelteon
neutral
many organ systems
-
-
may be influenced
#3
Melatonin
neutral
the immune system
-
-
modulates
#4
Melatonin
increase
effects
-
-
are generally immunostimulatory
#5
Melatonin
increase
autoimmunity
-
-
may potentiate
#6
Ramelteon
increase
autoimmune hepatitis
a 50-year-old man
-
developed
#7
Abstract

Ramelteon is a nonscheduled insomnia medication that lacks the abuse potential and residual effects common for other sedative-hypnotics. Distinct in its mechanism, the drug is a melatonin agonist with a high affinity for the membrane receptors MT1 and MT2. Although it therapeutically targets the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus, many organ systems have melatonin receptors and thus may be influenced by ramelteon. A growing body of research on melatonin indicates that it modulates the immune system. Indeed, immune cells have been shown to synthesize and to respond to this compound through receptors including MT1 and MT2. Melatonin's effects are generally immunostimulatory, and there is evidence to suggest that the chemical may potentiate autoimmunty. Here, we describe a case of autoimmune hepatitis that developed in a 50-year-old man after starting ramelteon for insomnia. The temporal association between ramelteon initiation and disease development, as well as the immunomodulatory properties of melatonergic compounds, suggest a role for ramelteon in the etiology of his illness.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
Anti-Inflammatory AgentsFatal OutcomeHepatitis, AutoimmuneHumansIndenesLiver Function TestsMaleMiddle AgedPeritonitisPrednisoneReceptor, Melatonin, MT1Receptor, Melatonin, MT2Sleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersUltrasonography
Study Links
PubMed ID23632362
Related Supplements
Autoimmune hepatitis in association with ramelteon. | Panacea Index