Please note<\/em><\/strong>: the beneficial roles of melatonin as a naturally occurring hormone may not imply the same benefits of melatonin supplementation.<\/em><\/p>\n Melatonin<\/a> receptors are present in a wide variety of immune cells (R<\/a>).<\/p>\n Melatonin is immunomodulatory, which means that it reduces excessive immune function in inflammatory conditions and enhances immune function in immunocompromised people.<\/p>\n Source: http:\/\/www.jpp.krakow.pl\/journal\/archive\/12_07_s6\/pdf\/115_12_07_s6_article.pdf<\/p>\n Melatonin plays an important role in the immune system. The membranes of immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells<\/a>, and B cells all have melatonin receptors [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin can either activate or suppress immune cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In mice, melatonin treatment increased the production of T cells, natural killer cells<\/a>, and monocytes<\/a>. The nuclear melatonin receptor also induces cytokine production [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin is involved in Th1<\/a>\/Th2<\/a> development. The balance of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells plays a critical role in controlling cellular immune responses [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Th1 cells play a key role in the development of inflammatory responses. They help with the production of proinflammatory cytokines like IFN-y<\/a> and IL-2<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n On the other hand, Th2 is anti-inflammatory. Th2 cells produce cytokines like IL-4<\/a>, IL-5<\/a>, IL-10<\/a> and IL-13<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Depending on its concentration, melatonin promotes both Th1 and Th2 responses. In mice, low doses of melatonin increased Th1 cytokine levels. In contrast, high doses decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin suppresses the development of Th17<\/a> cells and increases regulatory T cells<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n According to preliminary research, melatonin blocks the release of the following cytokines and inflammatory substances:<\/p>\n Connection Between Melatonin and the Immune System<\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3709754\/figure\/f1-ijms-14-11742\/<\/a><\/p>\n Autoimmune destruction of insulin<\/a>-producing \u03b2 cells in the pancreas causes Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). Pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-\u03b1<\/a> and IFN-\u03b3<\/a> contribute to \u03b2 cell destruction [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In non-obese diabetic mice (an animal model of type 1 diabetes), chronic administration of melatonin increased survival and delayed the onset of diabetes<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Type 1 diabetes is a Th1-cell-dominant disease, while melatonin shifts the immune response toward Th2 cells [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n By reducing TNF-\u03b1<\/a> and IFN-\u03b3<\/a> production, melatonin may protect against \u03b2 cell destruction [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Surgical transplantation of pancreatic islet grafts (cluster of cells) that produce insulin is a potential therapy for type 1 diabetes. However, the immune system might attack or reject the transplants. Melatonin might be able to prolong graft survival [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In diabetic mice, melatonin administration decreased Th1 cells and increased anti-inflammatory IL-1o cytokines. This inhibits the autoimmune response to the islet transplants. On average, the islet grafts survived for 17 days with melatonin treatment in comparison to 7 days in untreated mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the central nervous system. Immune cells wrongly attack the neurons\u2019 myelin<\/a> sheaths. This causes pain<\/a>, fatigue, weaknesses, and may even cause vision loss [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Multiple sclerosis patients excrete an abnormal amount of melatonin metabolites in the urine at night. This indicates a dysregulation of melatonin production [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin deficiency plays an important role in the fluctuation of multiple sclerosis symptoms, fatigue, and mood disorders in patients [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Th17<\/a> cells also contribute to multiple sclerosis. Melatonin suppresses Th17 cells<\/strong>, which may help stop the progression of the disease [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In rats with MS, oral melatonin administration significantly reduced paralysis severity. These effects were due to the suppression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 production in the spinal cord [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, there were conflicting results from a different study. Luzindole is a melatonin receptor blocker, which means that it inhibits melatonin receptor activity. Luzindole-treated mice did not develop EAE, while control mice did [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Crohn\u2019s disease and ulcerative colitis<\/a> are referred to as inflammatory bowel disease<\/a> (IBD). Characteristics of IBD include the accumulation of immune cells in the intestinal tissues and inflammation in the intestines [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The immune cells that accumulate in the intestinal tissues include B cells, T cells, neutrophils<\/a>, macrophages, and dendritic cells. Activation of these cells causes inflammation and increases proinflammatory cytokine levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin might protect against IBD by reducing pro-inflammatory markers (TNF-a and NF-\u03baB), DNA damage, and oxidative stress [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Short-term melatonin administration reduces inflammation in a mouse model of colitis [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, the same study found that long-term administration of melatonin worsened colitis symptoms<\/strong> and caused intestinal cell death in mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Various case studies also showed conflicting effects of melatonin<\/strong> in humans. While daily melatonin supplementation helped one patient reduce colitis symptoms, it worsened IBD symptoms in two others [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a study of 60 ulcerative colitis patients, melatonin reduced intestinal inflammation when added to standard treatment. It also helped the patients sustain remission (disease symptoms became less severe) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin administration may help treat animal models of lupus. However, its effects may depend on the timing of administration and the gender of the subject<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Daily melatonin injections enhanced survival rates in female mice in the morning. However, evening treatments did not change survival rates [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n One month of melatonin administration in female rats decreased inflammatory cytokine production. It also increased the induction of anti-inflammatory IL-10 production [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, in the same study, melatonin treatment worsened lupus symptoms in male mice<\/strong>. It increased inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n When melatonin reduces testosterone<\/a>, it increases pro-inflammatory cytokines. This might be the cause of melatonin\u2019s negative effects in male mice [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin tends to promote the development and increase the severity of rheumatoid arthritis<\/strong>. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased melatonin concentration in their blood [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In one study, 75 patients either received 10 mg of melatonin (considered a high dose) at night or a placebo for six months. Melatonin increased ESR and neopterin, which are indicators of inflammation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n However, there was no significant difference in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and proinflammatory cytokine levels<\/strong> in melatonin and control groups [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In one study, researchers surgically removed the pineal gland, which produces melatonin, in mice with RA. These mice had significantly reduced levels of IL-1\u03b2 and IL-6 in their blood and brains, which indicated lower inflammation [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In a similar study, the mice showed reduced severity of arthritis, suggesting that melatonin worsens disease severity [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated. Oral supplementation of melatonin at 240 mg and injections at 500 mg are possibly safe for healthy individuals [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Potential side effects include [R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n The most important thing to remember about melatonin supplementation is the timing<\/strong>. Inappropriate timing of melatonin administration can cause hormonal problems, daytime sleepiness, and desensitization of melatonin receptors [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Administration throughout the day may also contribute to bipolar disorder and depression<\/a> symptoms [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Additionally, melatonin activators (like Ramelteon or Agomelatine<\/a>) should not be used in patients with liver failure, kidney failure, alcohol addiction, or high fat levels [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Melatonin and bright light are known to improve the mood and symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s patients. However, without the additional bright light, it may have a negative effect on the mood of such patients. It may also lead to an increase in aggressive behavior [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Supplement-drug interactions can be dangerous and, in rare cases, even life-threatening. Always consult your doctor before supplementing and let them know about all drugs and supplements you are using or considering.<\/em><\/p>\n Due to potential drug interactions, caution and medical supervision are warranted before combining melatonin with [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n Melatonin plays many important roles in the immune system and inflammation control. Scientists have observed abnormalities in melatonin function in a range of autoimmune conditions. Read on to learn more about the effects of melatonin on immunity and inflammation and discover the potential side effects of supplementation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15399,"featured_media":38676,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[94],"tags":[279],"yst_prominent_words":[8423,26439,15729,765,1553,906,15726,486,11889,15727,5377,15730,511,515,529,3499,8421,1765,15728,15721],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38673"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15399"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38673"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":111949,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38673\/revisions\/111949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38673"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=38673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Source:](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/app\/uploads\/2017\/06\/source-http-www-jpp-krakow-pl-journal-archive-1-480x333.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/a>Relationship with Th1\/Th2\/Th17 Cells<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Suppresses Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Melatonin and Autoimmune Diseases<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/selfhacked.com\/app\/uploads\/2017\/06\/word-image-15-480x285.jpeg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a>1) Type 1 Diabetes<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>2) Multiple Sclerosis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>3) Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>4) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>5) Rheumatoid Arthritis<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Melatonin Side Effects & Precautions<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/a>Drug Interactions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Further Reading<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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