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Reconsidering the Role of Melatonin in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Iona J MacDonald1, Chien-Chung Huang1,2, Shan-Chi Liu3

  • 1School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Melatonin

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease.
  • Current RA therapies target cytokines or Janus kinases but have limitations.
  • Adjuvant treatments for RA are needed due to treatment resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the immunopathogenic roles of melatonin in rheumatoid arthritis.
  • To analyze conflicting evidence regarding melatonin's effects in RA.
  • To highlight the need for careful consideration of melatonin's use in RA management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies on melatonin and RA.
  • Analysis of research on melatonin's effects on inflammation and immune regulation in arthritis models.
  • Examination of studies linking circadian rhythm disruption and melatonin to RA pathogenesis.

Main Results:

  • Melatonin exhibits controversial effects in RA, with some studies suggesting pro-inflammatory roles and others demonstrating anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties.
  • Melatonin influences clock gene expression in RA joints.
  • Circadian rhythm disruption is linked to RA development.

Conclusions:

  • Melatonin's role in RA is complex and requires further investigation.
  • Clinical rheumatologists must carefully weigh the contradictory effects of melatonin.
  • Balancing melatonin's dual actions is crucial for potential therapeutic applications in RA.
Keywords:
melatoninrheumatoid arthritis

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