Melatonin Inhibits Inflammatory Response of Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Melatonin, oral-used in sleep disorders treatment, is the main secretory product of the pineal gland and in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in which it has a local physiological poorly characterized role. Intraperitoneally-administered high dose has anti-inflammatory effects in experimental model of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases but the mechanisms is unclarified. Literature data show that melatonin inhibits the activation of neutrophils and monocytes and it is therefore conceivable that it has also inhibitory effect on mucosal inflammatory cell activation. The aim of this study was to evaluate in an in vitro model of inflamed intestinal epithelium the potential protective effects of melatonin. D…