Art (California) on 06/14/2022

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-022-04390-3

Here is a relevant quote from the study:

>>> ' In conclusion, we disclosed ACE2 as a new binding target of melatonin, which leads to allosteric negative modulation of the spike/ACE2 interaction. This effect on the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor function of ACE2, combined with the inhibition of NFKB expression and endogenous ACE2 expression in endothelial cells, is most likely the predominant mechanism for impaired SARS-CoV-2 brain invasion by melatonin and its derivatives. ' <<<

An important point of this study is that melatonin binds to ACE2 receptors interfering with the ability of the SARS CoV-2 virus to dock on ACE2 receptors and melatonin does this without serious side effects.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 02/22/2023

Marshagail,

Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful words!

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 10/07/2023

Paola,

If the reason you are taking melatonin is to fight Covid, it only need be taken while you have Covid and up to 2 months after as a long Covid preventative.

The topic of retinal damage and melatonin was based on an old study in animals, where they gave high dose melatonin and then exposed them to very bright light which caused damage. First the melatonin was taken during the day when melatonin levels are lower. Most studies I have seen recommend and use melatonin at night and this is what I do also. Melatonin levels are normally higher at night and lower during the daylight hours. What was done to the animals in that study I would consider a form of torture.

So this was an abnormal use of melatonin and very bright light which humans don't regularly do. I only mention daytime use of melatonin for severe diseases such as Covid or cancer. In any case I have not seen similar results in human studies, but I have seen newer studies that suggest that melatonin use has beneficial effects for the retinas as discussed in this newer (May 2023) review of studies :

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332223002640

Here are two relevant quotes :

' MT synthesis-related genes in retinal tissue may be affected by age. Our study shows that MT can effectively restore NaIO3-induced retinopathy and maintain retinal structural integrity. Importantly, MT may assist the conversion of M1 to M2 macrophages to promote tissue repair, which may be caused by the increased infiltration of Tregs. Moreover, MT treatment may upregulate TET2, and further NT5E demethylation is associated with Treg recruitment in the retinal microenvironment. '

' Our findings suggest that MT can effectively ameliorate retinal degeneration and regulate immune homeostasis via Tregs. Modulation of the immune response may provide a key therapeutic strategy. '

The science of melatonin is continually evolving as new studies discover more positive effects that melatonin has on human, animal and plant health.

I have taken higher dose melatonin for over a decade based on studies I have read. I currently take my 132 mg of melatonin in the evening.

Art

Replied By Art (California) on 10/09/2023

BellaPaolina,

Regarding your first question, that is not an issue I have seen reported in the literature, but melatonin does have blood thinning and anticlotting properties, so in order to find out if it is the cause for the hematoma, try stopping it for a month and see if that resolves the issue. If it does help, and since you are in good health, perhaps you can use a lower dose. Melatonin at 50 mg/day has shown the ability to return elevated oxidative stress levels, in people with disease, back to healthy control levels and this would be very useful for maintaining health long term. Lastly, you can get melatonin naturally by exposing yourself to earlier morning and later afternoon sunlight and get a little vitamin d at the same time. I always recommend this to people who do not tolerate oral melatonin because naturally derived melatonin seems to come with no side effects. I wrote a little about that here :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/how-to-increase-melatonin-naturally.html

Regarding blue light glasses and whether they are useful for preventing eye fatigue and blue light exposure, so far they have not shown a good ability to do that and the following article discusses that topic :

https://www.publish.csiro.au/hc/Fulltext/HC23101

Continued good health to both you and your husband!

Art

Replied By BellaPaolina (Roma) on 10/10/2023

My question about the blue light glasses was referred to systemic melatonin and the influence of light exposure. High melatonin ingestion coupled with the bright light from laptops at night might damage the retina?

Excuse me for my terrible english, I realize now my question was not formulated clearly. Thank you again from the other side of the ocean!!!

Replied By Art (California) on 10/10/2023

BellaPaolina,

Yes, things definitely get lost in the translation sometimes!

I will have to look for the old study I mentioned, but they were using very bright light in that study which was far brighter than a computer monitor and that light could have been retina damaging on its own. I have been taking higher dose melatonin for over a decade and spend a lot of time on my computer and have not had a problem with my eyes, but I also take my melatonin at night except when I had Covid. In current studies, as I linked to previously, melatonin is retina protective, not degenerative or damaging.

Older studies hold some weight until they are proven incorrect by newer more comprehensive studies. If you have a newer study showing retinal damage, please link to it. I read melatonin studies everyday and have not seen this.

Art

Replied By BellaPaolina (Roma) on 10/12/2023

I have not found any newer studies, so I assume that the studies you have linked are correct. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer to my questions. The research you do for Earthclinic is very helpful to many!!!

Paola