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Current Neuropharmacology

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1570-159X
ISSN (Online): 1875-6190

Review Article

Melatonin as a Therapeutic Resource for Inflammatory Visual Diseases

Author(s): Marcos L. Aranda, María Florencia González Fleitas, Hernán Dieguez, Agustina Iaquinandi, Pablo H. Sande, Damián Dorfman and Ruth E. Rosenstein*

Volume 15, Issue 7, 2017

Page: [951 - 962] Pages: 12

DOI: 10.2174/1570159X15666170113122120

Price: $65

Abstract

Background: Uveitis and optic neuritis are prevalent ocular inflammatory diseases, and highly damaging ocular conditions. Both diseases are currently treated with corticosteroids, but they do not have adequate efficacy and are often associated with severe side effects. Thus, uveitis and optic neuritis remain a challenging field to ophthalmologists and a significant public health concern.

Objective: This review summarizes findings showing the benefits of a treatment with melatonin in experimental models of these inflammatory ocular diseases.

Results: Oxidative and nitrosative damage, tumor necrosis factor, and prostaglandin production have been involved in the pathogeny of uveitis and optic neuritis. Melatonin is an efficient antioxidant and antinitridergic, and has the ability to reduce prostaglandin and tumor necrosis factor levels both in the retina and optic nerve. Moreover, melatonin not only prevents functional and structural consequences of experimental uveitis and optic neuritis, but it is also capable of suppressing the actively ongoing ocular inflammatory response.

Conclusions: Since melatonin protects ocular tissues against inflammation, it could be a potentially useful anti-inflammatory therapy in ophthalmology.

Keywords: Melatonin, uveitis, optic neuritis, ocular inflammation, oxidative damage, nitrosative damage.

Graphical Abstract

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