The ability of melatonin to influence oxidative stress and lower the dose of prednisolone in patients with alopecia areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, autoimmune unpredictable, nonscaring form of hair loss.
Melatonin is the most potent antioxidant known, it protect cells from so called free radical damage. Orally administered prednisone has proved effective to stimulate new hair growth for patients with AA, but its potential side effects which include weight gain, metabolic abnormalities, acne and menstrual problems makes difficulty in prescribing cortisone in high doses for patients with AA.
This study was designed to assess the clinical significance of the melatonin in reducing the dose of corticosteroids (prednisolone), and as a consequence, their side effects in patient with AA. The results f this study reveal the potential clinical significance of two months treatment with this antioxidant (melatonin) in reducing the dose of prednisolone from 100mg to 10mg administered each other day and improving the rate of hair growth by attenuating free radicals damaging effect on immune system, thereby decreasing the immune complex deposition. According to the results of this study, the use of melatonin may have an important role in protecting the immune system, and decreasing the dose and side effects that result from the use of high dose of corticosteroids