title: Melatonin and atopy: role in atopic dermatitis and asthma.
abstract: Melatonin may have important immunostimulatory actions in allergic diseases, in addition to its well-known antioxidant and cytoprotective effects in several inflammatory conditions. The activation of the immune system leads to free radical production associated with decreased melatonin levels and depressed antioxidant enzyme activities in several inflammatory diseases. Many skin disorders, including atopic dermatitis, are accompanied by infiltration and activation of mast cells, which release vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators. Experimental data suggest that melatonin inhibits development of atopic eczema and reduces serum total IgE and IL-4. Allergic asthma is a condition characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and the presence of IgE antibodies in response to inhaled allergens; often there is also enhanced total serum IgE levels. Melatonin regulates smooth muscle tone and influences the immune response. Melatonin may, however, act as a pro-inflammatory agent in asthma leading to bronchial constriction. The safety of melatonin as a sleep-inducing agent has been confirmed in asthmatic subjects, but its routine use is not recommended in bronchial asthma. This review summarizes what is known about the role of melatonin as an immunomodulatory agent in asthma and atopic eczema.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. lmarseglia@unime.it.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. gabridangelo@alice.it.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. saramanti@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manti
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. carmelo.salpietro@unime.it.
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salpietro
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. tarrigo@unime.it.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arrigo
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. barberii@unime.it.
authors.forename: Ignazio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 40729, USA. reiter@uthscsa.edu.
authors.forename: Russel J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy. egitto@unime.it.
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gitto
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D056747:Immunomodulation; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D008550:Melatonin
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