Serum levels of melatonin and cytokines in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Cytokines are important factors of the immune system in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) in which damage caused by oxidants plays a major role in the pathology. Melatonin secreted by the pineal gland has recently been considered as an antioxidant. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between melatonin and cytokines in patients with MS. Thirty patients with MS and 30 healthy controls were selected. Serum levels of melatonin and cytokines, including interleukin-4, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), were detected in all participants by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. There was a significant difference between patient and control groups in the levels of melatonin and TNF-α. Also, no significant correlation between the serum levels of melatonin and cytokines in both patient and control groups was seen. We concluded that decrease of melatonin and subsequent increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine, TNF-α, could be a factor in the inflammatory reactions in the pathologic process of MS.

Melatonin Redox Activity. Its Potential Clinical Applications in Neurodegenerative Disorders

“…Increases SOD and GPx activity, [66] Decrease serum level, decrease levels of 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin in urine [58,65] *Reduces the degree of A-beta-induced lipid peroxidation protect from alterations in neurofilaments hyperphosphorylation and accumulation induced by calyculin A (CA), [47] *Anti-amyloidogenic properties, [53] *Protects against cognitive deficits [49] Alzheimer's disease Dementia, irreversible memory impair ment, cognitive and behavioral disturbances *Inhibits the phosphorylation of nicotinamide [47] Decrease level in CSF and in postmortem human pineal gland *CSF concentration-potential early marker [49,50] In SOD1(G93A)-transgenic mice delays disease progression, Reduces oxidative stress injury, Normalizes serum protein carbonyls [77,78] Overexpression of melatonin membrane receptors increases calcium-binding proteins and protects VSC4.1 motoneurons from glutamate toxicity [76] Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Progressive weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles. Paralytic and fatal motor neuron disease Inhibits the caspase-1/cytochrome c/caspase-3 cell death pathway, inhibits MT1 receptor loss and delays disease progression in a mouse model.…”

“…Accumulating data suggests that neurodegeneration occurs both in early and late stages of this disease [54][55][56][57][58]. Hypoxia (decreased oxygen availability) is strictly connected with chronic inflammation, that is one of the main feature of neurodegeneration in MS [57].…”

Melatonin and IL‐25 modulate apoptosis and angiogenesis mediators in metastatic (CF‐41) and non‐metastatic (CMT‐U229) canine mammary tumour cells

“…Cytokines are proteins that play an important role in the regulation of the body's inflammatory response to foreign agents and might promote or suppress cancer development. These proteins include interleukins (eg, interleukin [IL]‐17E, also known as IL‐25), interferons and tumour necrosis factors (TNFs) . IL‐25 is produced by neutrophils, promotes inflammation and induces the production of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐6, IL‐1 and TNF‐α in endothelial cells.…”

Buried treasure: Unlocking the secrets of medicinal mushrooms

“…In this insightful commentary, Seema Rawat explains how the impact factor is calculated and points out many of the problems with this now widely accepted measure of influence. [26] LETTER -Comment on Farhadi et al Kurt and colleagues comment on a study published in a previous issue of the Biomedical Journal showing that morning serum melatonin levels are low in individuals with multiple sclerosis, [27,28] and suggest that several methodological issues should be addressed before such a conclusion can be drawn.…”