Melatonin for biological rythms, body health, gut function and inflammation

Facebook Dr. Anil        Home page        AutismItsGutStupid

By Anil Minocha MD, author of Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Melatonin is the one of the most versatile and ubiquitous hormonal molecule in the body and is associated with circadian rythm and wake-sleep cycle. 

Popular health uses of melatonin

1. Literature suggests benefit of melatonin as a natural sleeping aid

2. It has documented efficacy for preventing and reducing jet lag.

3. Prolonged release melatonin is available abroad as a licensed agent for short term use for insomnia and studies indicate it is effective sleep remedy

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Melatonin and gastrointestinal tract

Melatonin is present in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract as well as the the pancreas and the hepatobiliary system.

The gastrointestinal tract represents the most important extra pineal source of melatonin. It is produced in the enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract.

The amount of melatonin in gut is 400 fold greater than the pineal gland.

Actions of melatonin for healthy gut

• Melatonin is an important regulator of both inflammation and motility in the gastrointestinal tract.
• No wonder melatonin has been documented to help in irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon.
• Melatonin exhibits antioxidant and free radicals scavenging, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities in the gut. It acts as an autocrine and paracrine hormone directly or indirectly influencing the epithelium, the immune system and the intestinal smooth muscle. Usually, melatonin opposes the actions of serotonin in the gut.
• Presence of melatonin suggests that this hormone may be intimately involved in gastrointestinal pathophysiology including inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) since it is an important regulator of both inflammation and motility in the gastrointestinal tract.

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Mechanism of action

Studies in animal models of colitis have documented the following mechanisms of protection against colitis:

• down-regulating the expressions of chemokines of chemoattractant molecules interleukin (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein

• downregulating proinflammatory molecule mediated by NF-kappaB inhibition and blockade of IkappaBalpha degradation

• reducing bacterial translocation

• fostering epithelial regeneration

• increasing microcirculation

• preserving the important endogenous antioxidant reserve of glutathione

• preventing lysosomal enzyme disruption

• blocking enhanced MPO activity

 

Animal studies

• Melatonin has been documented to reduce colonic lesions and improves colitis symptom and reduction in proinflammatory cytokines in multiple animal models of colitis [Li 2008, Akcan 2008, Nosalova 2007]. The melatonin levels in serum of rats with DSS induced colitis are significantly elevated and melatonin treatment protects against inflammatory activity [Pentney 1995].
• Studies in TNBS induced colitis suggest that while short-term administration of melatoninis protective, it may have negative consequences on the evolution of the disease in the long run [Marquez 2006].
• Melatonin has beneficial effects on colitis-related colon carcinogenesis by modulating the mitotic and apoptotic indices in DSS induced model of colitis in rats and as such has potential application for inhibiting colorectal cancer [Tanaka 2009].

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Human data

1. Succesful use of melatonin in ulcerative colitis as well as irritable bowel syndrome been reported.

2. The urinary excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate in patients with ulcerative colitis is significantly higher than in healthy persons and inversely related to the severity of UC [Boznanska 2007]. This suggests that an elevated melatonin level may be part ofan overall anti-inflammatory response to colitis and its elevated levels may occur to ameliorate the severity. 

3. Preliminary data in humans suggest that supplemental melatonin adminstration may have beneficial  effect on ulcerative colitis [Terry 2009]. On the other hand, melatonin adminstration may trigger Crohn’s symptoms in some cases. 

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

More articles of interest below........Or go to Home page   

Leaky gut syndrome	Quinoa, a complete food even NASA likes
Causes of alcohol hangover	Paleolithic or stone-age diet overview
Day care infections: Try probiotics	Whole fruit versus fruit juice
Effects of gut bacteria starts during pregnancy	Honey and cough
Breast milk benefits and alternatives	Implications of FODMAP diet health and sickness
Cranberry juice versus antibiotics for urinary tract infections	ADHD: Causes, role of diet, gut and treatment
Mangosteen benefits: myths or reality	Food allergies and intolerances
Does Vegetarian diet reduce mortality	Nutritional supplements for liver disease
Aquatic therapy for chronic pain	CT (CAT) scans and risk of cancer

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Digestion, Health & Nutrition                          Facebook Dr. Anil

What causes alcohol hangover?	Coconut oil for healthy, beautiful skin
Evidence based natural treatments of fibromyalgia	Gift of health "Natural Stomach Care"
Herb/spice in kitchen to prevent cancer & boost immunity	Yoga improves blood pressure & diabetes
Food triggers for migraine	Botox works at both ends. Cheers!
Fish type, risk of mercury toxicity versus benefits	How to stop heartburn?
Depression? Do you want alternative medicine options?	Risks of heartburn medications
Do you have constipation? Think your colon has kinks?	Confused about probiotics on market? Learn here more

Facebook Dr. Anil        Home page        AutismItsGutStupid