Correlation among cytokines, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and modality of ventilation in preterm newborns: improvement with melatonin treatment.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Controlled trial with parallel intervention and placebo groups
PubMed 16150110 · doi:10.1111/j.1600-079X.2005.00251.x
What was done
The study evaluated 110 mechanically ventilated newborns with respiratory distress syndrome (ventilated with or without guaranteed volume). Infants were allocated to receive either melatonin (n = 55) or placebo (n = 55). Proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were measured in tracheobronchial aspirate, and clinical outcomes were evaluated.
What was found
The abstract reports that melatonin treatment reduced proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha) in tracheobronchial aspirate and improved clinical outcomes. No numerical values, baseline values, effect sizes, or p-values are reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides preliminary evidence that antioxidant therapy with melatonin may help mitigate pulmonary inflammation associated with mechanical ventilation in preterm infants.
Limits
The abstract does not provide numerical data, statistical metrics, or definitions of the clinical outcomes evaluated. It does not state whether allocation was randomized or blinded, nor does it report infant gestational age, birth weight, or long-term safety data.
Cited by
- supports Two clinical studies showed that melatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines and improving clinical outcomes.