Effects of melatonin supplementation on clinical symptoms, disease activity and serum oxidative factors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Melatonin function includes stimulation of cytokine production, stimulation of phagocytosis and stimulation of natural killer cell activity. According to the results of various studies in many autoimmune diseases, melatonin treatment has reduced the severity of diseases in animal models and some clinical trials. These observations have shown the importance of endogenous melatonin in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and the possibility of treatment with exogenous melatonin in human autoimmune diseases such as SLE. Considering the above and considering the limited studies and recommending further studies in this field, therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin on clinical symptoms, disease activity and serum levels of oxidative factors in patients with lupus. Materials and Methods: The present study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial that will be performed in patients with lupus referred to the rheumatology clinic affiliated to Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Thirty- two patients with lupus referred to the rheumatology clinic were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups receiving melatonin (10 mg per day in the form of 2 5 mg tablets) and placebo receiving group. (2 tablets per day) were divided. The study groups took the pills at night 2 hours before bedtime for 12 weeks (3 months). Clinical symptoms of patients were determined by physician examination and disease activity using SLEDAI questionnaire. To determine serum levels, total serum antioxidant capacity and MDA before and after the intervention, 5 ml of blood samples were taken on an empty stomach and then the values of these variables were determined using a kit. Results: The level of MDA parameter in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to before the intervention (P=0.003); Comparison of this parameter at the end of the study and between the two groups participating in the study also showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.004) so that this index was much lower in the intervention group than the control group. In other parameters measured within the group and between groups, no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups.