Reconsidering the Role of Melatonin in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to summarize the current understanding of melatonin's immunopathogenic characteristics in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including its controversial proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects.
Results Summary
The study found conflicting evidence on melatonin's role in RA, with some research suggesting it enhances proinflammatory activities, while other studies highlight its anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties. Additionally, melatonin was noted to affect circadian rhythm-related gene expression in RA joints.
Population
Preclinical models of arthritis and clinical trials involving inflammatory autoimmune diseases (specific RA patient details not provided).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | decrease | inflammatory autoimmune diseases | animal models and clinical trials | - | has shown beneficial activity | #1 |
melatonin | increase | disease activity in RA | RA | - | enhances proinflammatory activities | #2 |
melatonin | increase | disease activity in RA | RA | - | promotes disease activity | #3 |
melatonin | decrease | arthritis | preclinical models | - | documented substantial anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties | #4 |
melatonin | neutral | clock gene expression in joints | RA | - | has been found to affect | #5 |
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory joint disorder characterized by synovial proliferation and inflammation, with eventual joint destruction if inadequately treated. Modern therapies approved for RA target the proinflammatory cytokines or Janus kinases that mediate the initiation and progression of the disease. However, these agents fail to benefit all patients with RA, and many lose therapeutic responsiveness over time. More effective or adjuvant treatments are needed. Melatonin has shown beneficial activity in several animal models and clinical trials of inflammatory autoimmune diseases, but the role of melatonin is controversial in RA. Some research suggests that melatonin enhances proinflammatory activities and thus promotes disease activity in RA, while other work has documented substantial anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties of melatonin in preclinical models of arthritis. In addition, disturbance of the circadian rhythm is associated with RA development and melatonin has been found to affect clock gene expression in joints of RA. This review summarizes current understanding about the immunopathogenic characteristics of melatonin in RA disease. Comprehensive consideration is required by clinical rheumatologists to balance the contradictory effects.