MELATONIN stimulates immune system / immunomodulator

Evidence suggests an immuno-enhancing function for MELATONIN - stimulation of natural killer cell activity, cytokine expression and inhibition of immune cell apoptosis have been reported.

-   A constant light condition and drug-induced inhibition of MELATONIN synthesis in mice is associated with suppressed humoral an cellular immunological responses

Guerrero JM, Reiter RJ. MELATONIN-immune system relationships. Curr Top Med Chem 2002;2:167-79.

-    MELATONIN can interact with cells in lymphoid organs

-   There is bidirectional interaction between pineal gland and I.S.    Since interleukins and cytokines (interferon gamma) affect MELATONIN synthesis/release

Withyachumnarnkul B, Nonaka KO, Santana C, et al. Interferon-gamma modulates MELATONIN production in rat pineal glands in organ culture. J Interferon Res 1990;10:403-11.

-    MELATONIN provides a link between the neuroendocrine and immune systems.   May be explored in diseases that present daily rhythmic symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis and nocturnal asthma.

-   Animal research has shown that inhibition of MELATONIN synthesis weakens cell-mediated immunity (acquired immunity where T lymphocytes have predominant role) and humoral immunity (immune response, mainly against bacterial invasion, mediated by B cells).

Pandi-Perumal SR, Srinivasan V, Maestroni GJ, Cardinali DP, Poeggeler B, Hardeland R. MELATONIN: Nature's most versatile biological signal? FEBS J. 2006 Jul;273(13):2813-38. PubMed

MELATONIN increases production of interleukin 2 and 6 (IL-2 and IL-6). MELATONIN receptors are found in lymphatic tissue, which supports the premise that MELATONIN has a direct regulating effect on the immune system. A study evaluating IL-6 during nocturnal sleep,sleep deprivation and different sleep stages concluded that:

“Loss of sleep may serve to decrease nocturnal IL-6 levels, with effects on the integrity of immune system functioning. Alternatively, given the association between sleep stages and IL-6 levels, depressed or aged populations who show increased amounts of REM sleep and a relative loss of slow wave sleep may have elevated nocturnal concentrations of IL-6 with implications for inflammatory disease risk.”

Laura Redwine, Richard L. Hauger, J. Christian Gillin and Michael Irwin. Effects of Sleep and Sleep Deprivation on Interleukin-6, Growth Hormone, Cortisol, and MELATONIN Levels in Humans. Home Archive Oct 2000 85 (10): 3597 JCEM