Melatonin as a Therapeutic Resource for Inflammatory Visual Diseases.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the potential benefits of melatonin in treating experimental models of uveitis and optic neuritis by examining its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Results Summary
Melatonin demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative and nitrosative damage, tumor necrosis factor, and prostaglandin levels in the retina and optic nerve, while also preventing functional and structural damage from inflammation and suppressing active inflammatory responses.
Population
Experimental models (not human subjects) of uveitis and optic neuritis.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | decrease | oxidative and nitrosative damage | - | - | is an efficient antioxidant and antinitridergic | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | prostaglandin levels | - | - | has the ability to reduce | #2 |
melatonin | decrease | tumor necrosis factor levels | - | - | has the ability to reduce | #3 |
melatonin | decrease | functional and structural consequences of experimental uveitis and optic neuritis | experimental models | - | prevents | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | the actively ongoing ocular inflammatory response | - | - | is capable of suppressing | #5 |
melatonin | decrease | ocular tissues against inflammation | - | - | protects | #6 |
BACKGROUND: Uveitis and optic neuritis are prevalent ocular inflammatory diseases, and highly damaging ocular conditions. Both diseases are currently treated with corticosteroids, but they do not have adequate efficacy and are often associated with severe side effects. Thus, uveitis and optic neuritis remain a challenging field to ophthalmologists and a significant public health concern. OBJECTIVE: This review summarizes findings showing the benefits of a treatment with melatonin in experimental models of these inflammatory ocular diseases. RESULTS: Oxidative and nitrosative damage, tumor necrosis factor, and prostaglandin production have been involved in the pathogeny of uveitis and optic neuritis. Melatonin is an efficient antioxidant and antinitridergic, and has the ability to reduce prostaglandin and tumor necrosis factor levels both in the retina and optic nerve. Moreover, melatonin not only prevents functional and structural consequences of experimental uveitis and optic neuritis, but it is also capable of suppressing the actively ongoing ocular inflammatory response. CONCLUSIONS: Since melatonin protects ocular tissues against inflammation, it could be a potentially useful anti-inflammatory therapy in ophthalmology.