potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in reflux esophagitis

ABSTRACT

Melatonin is synthesized not only in the pineal gland, but also in different organs, the special attention has been directed to the digestive tract where total quantity of melatonin is considerably greater than in the pineal gland. Many drugs were used for the treatment of reflux esophagitis such as omeprazote [a proton pump inhibitor] which is widely used antiulcer drug and has been demonstrated to protect against esophageal mucosal injury. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of exogenous melatonin in the treatment of reflux esophagitis in human either alone and in combination with omeprazole therapy. 36 persons were divided into 4 groups [control patients with reflux esophagitis treated by melatonin for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, patients with reflux esophagitis treated with omeprazole for same periods, and patients with reflux esophagitis treated with combination of melatonin and omeprazole for same periods]. Each group consisted of 9 persons. Persons were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination, investigations [laboratory, encioscopic, record of esophageal motility, pH-metry]. Melatonin has a role in improvement of Gastro-esophageal reflux disease [GERD] either used alone or in combination with omeprazole. Meanwhile, omeprazole [a proton pump inhibitor] alone is better used in treatment of GERD than melatonin alone. The present study showed that oral melatonin is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of GERD. It is an effective line of treatment in relieving epigastric pain and heart burn. However, further studies are required to confirm the efficacy and long-term safety of melatonin before it can be recommended for routine clinical use