title: ATOPIC DERMATITIS: MELATONIN AS POTENTIAL TREATMENT.
abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory skin disorder, characterized by a skin barrier dysfunction resulting in epidermal damage and altered permeability to allergens and microbes. Traditionally, the immunological mechanism involving the Th1-Th2 paradigm is considered central in the pathogenesis of AD. However, oxidative stress is, currently, recognized as a fundamental predisposing stimulus for AD. Several therapeutic approaches have been proposed as treatment, including the use of melatonin. This indolamine, through widespread expression and pleiotropic activity of the cutaneous melatoninergic system, may counteract environmental and endogenous stressors, regulate the immune response, decrease oxidative stress, and, finally, promote skin integrity. In the light of its pleiotropic effects, melatonin could represent a potential and alternative therapeutic approach in patients with AD.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marseglia
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuppari
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manti
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salpietro
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Reiter
authors.affiliation: Neonatal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gitto