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Melatonin as an antibiotic: new insights into the actions of this ubiquitous molecule.
Original Article
Journal of Pineal Research. 44(2):222-226, March 2008. Tekbas, Omer Faruk 1; Ogur, Recai 1; Korkmaz, Ahmet 2; Kilic, Abdullah 3; Reiter, Russel J. 4
Abstract: The incidence of serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria has been increasing rapidly worldwide despite advances in antibacterial therapy in the last two decades.
Among multidrug-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are of great importance, because they have emerged as primary nosocomial pathogens in hospital outbreaks.
In this study, we investigated whether melatonin has antibacterial effects against these microorganisms in vitro.
The minimum inhibitory concentration of melatonin was determined using a standard microdilution method at 24 and 48 hr.
Melatonin inhibited microbial growth at both 24 and 48 hr; but results showed that melatonin had antibacterial effects against these microorganisms after 48 hr of incubation in lower doses [concentrations between 31.25 to 125 [mu]g/mL (0.13-0.53 mM)].
Also, it was determined that melatonin has a more potent antimicrobial effect on gram-negative microorganism.
Among possible mechanisms, it is concluded that melatonin showed antibacterial effects by reducing intracellular substrates.
Copyright (C) 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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Keebler
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Melatonin helps me more with sleep then anything else I have tried. It is also a neuro protector and antioxidant - good to hear it whacks bugs as well. I take 3000mg every night.
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Hoosiers51
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Most, if not all, people with POTS have problems getting their veins to properly constrict. The veins on the lower half of the body are not doing their job......they are not constricting enough to properly "push" the blood up to the top half of the body. Gravity is trying to keep the blood down, and when you are standing, your veins aren't pushing it up all the way if you have POTS.
Thus, one may experience fainting, feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or just feeling weak. (for me, it's mostly just feeling so weak I just want to sit or lay.) And also just the general fatigue, etc that goes with not getting enough blood to the brain.
Vasodialators can aggrevate this problem of the blood not moving upwards. If someone with POTS takes a vasodialtor, they will feel weaker.
I suppose if you are going to bed anyways, like after taking Melatonin, it is not a big deal since you're asleep, but the concern would be that those effects are still there the next day. For example, when I take Klonopin for sleep, I feel extremely weak when standing the next day, and it lasts the whole next day. It is basically a ruined day. I am irritable because I'm so weak.
Recently I started a supplement that contains grape seed extract. It is supposed to be a fantastic supplement. I felt so sick and weak, I couldn't do anything for days. It was supposed to make me feel better. Then, when I learned it was a vasodialtor, I had an "ah hah" moment.
Some things like beta blockers will help some but hurt others. It can get complicated. It is a complicated issue, but some people have this condition from Lyme aggrevating a predisposition to it.
djf2005
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posted
thanks.
sounds very much like a lyme symptom too.
the veins on the lower half of the body not allowing enough to flow to the top sounds like a decrease in blood flow like hypofusion to the brain caused in neuroborrealis..
it could be different i guess but if one has lyme i think more likely that?
i have these issues from time to time, and the weakness you had on grapeseed could have been a herx, no?
anyway, thanks for the info, good to know.
im not sure how melatonin can interfere with POTS, but if it makes it worse then i understand not taking it.
thanks again
derek
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
Hoosiers51
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posted
Melatonin interferes with POTS because it is a vasodialtor.....it dialates the blood vessels. That is how it makes it worse.
It was definitely not a Herx for me from the grape seed extract. I have major issues with dysautonomia....I won't get into all them here, but I can tell the difference b/t the two. The main way I can tell is that when I take vasodialators, I feel terrible almost instantly. They are like poison to me.
I've been evaluated by a specialist too; I'm not just guessing that I have the condition.
Most people with a genetic predisposition to dysautonomia/POTS will never manifest with the symptoms, but infection can allow these issues to come out.
It is much more common in those of Brittish ancestry, with small build. It is a genetic thing that is aggrevated by environmental influences, like infection. One thing you want to look for as a sign you have the gene is being "double jointed."
I am just sort of throwing the warning out there to anyone who feels worse on Melatonin or certain supplements, don't always assume it's a Herx. If you see trends with certain things that upset you, like heat (showers, for example) and vasodilators, you may want to be vigiliant about it.
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hiker53
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Don't take melatonin if you take klonopin--it could put you in a coma. Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
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djf2005
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ive taken xanax & melatonin, NO coma:)
did it put you in a coma hiker?
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
CherylSue
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posted
I heard that, too, and put a masking tape note on my melatonin bottle that says do not take with klonopin.
Melatonin .5mg helps me to fall back to sleep when I take it in the middle of the night when I wake up. It's good stuff. I take Pure Encapsulations brand.
CherylSue
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hiker53
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djf2005 Reread. I said melatonin and klonopin do not mix well. Go to www.drugdigest.org and look at the drug interactions.
Melatonin is also dangerous with xanax. My point is that seeminly harmless over the counter meds can be dangerous, so check the interactions with a pharmacist if you are taking other medications.
I'm not in coma, yet! Hiker53
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8901 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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djf2005
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glad youre not in a coma.
had me worried
-------------------- "Experience is not what happens to you; it is what you do with what happens to you."
posted
I don't think melatonin with Klonopin (clonazepam) used in the correct dosages of course will put you into a coma at all. (As always, with a doctor's guidance.)
There seems to be conflicting info out there on using melatonin with Klonopin.
I found info claiming that Klonopin (clonazepam) actually decreases and eventually depletes melatonin over time and also that melatonin is useful in combination with Clonazepam.
----------- Sep 01, 2006 REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: Harbinger of Synucleinopathies?
Charles J. Ippolito, MD
Partial quote (long article):
Bradley F. Boeve, MD, associate professor of neurology and chair of the Division of Behavioral Neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota states:
"Worldwide use has shown that clonazepam is by far the best agent for the treatment of RBD (sleep disorder)," said Boeve. "It almost always works, even at very low doses such as 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg.
Even a dosage as high as 1 mg per night is effective in almost 90% of patients. No one really understands why clonazepam works so well.
It not only suppresses the vivid acting out while dreaming, but also helps to quell other bothersome nocturnal manifestations, such as the nasty nightmares that appear to reflect chasing and attacking themes."
Boeve added that, in his experience, melatonin is also useful by itself or in combination with clonazepam.
Although it is not as effective as clonazepam, he said that he gives a trial of melatonin to patients with dementia before trying clonazepam because clonazepam has been associated with adverse effects on cognition. "[Dosages of] melatonin between 3 mg and 12 mg per night works at least half of the time," he said.
-------------------
The above is backed up by this study - abstract is available on Pubmed.
Sleep Med. 2003 Jul;4(4):281-4. Melatonin for treatment of REM sleep behavior disorder in neurologic disorders: results in 14 patients. Boeve BF, Silber MH, Ferman TJ.
[ 26. August 2008, 02:02 AM: Message edited by: Looking ]
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Hoosiers51
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Just to clarify....when I was using the example of taking Klonopin for sleep and feeling bad the next day, I didn't take it with Melatonin.
I was just using that as an example of how a drug that aggrevates POTS can still make you feel bad 12 hours later. I'm not sure if Klonopin is a vasodialator or not, but it can aggrevate POTS. So I was trying to say Melatonin, being a substance KNOWN to aggrevate POTS, could possibly have the same effect.
Hope that makes sense. It is off topic, but I was trying to clarify what can happen to us POTS-y people.
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treepatrol
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quote:Originally posted by hiker53: djf2005 Reread. I said melatonin and klonopin do not mix well. Go to www.drugdigest.org and look at the drug interactions.
Melatonin is also dangerous with xanax. My point is that seeminly harmless over the counter meds can be dangerous, so check the interactions with a pharmacist if you are taking other medications.
I'm not in coma, yet! Hiker53
ALCOHOL may interact with CLONAZEPAM (in Klonopin)
Although the cause of this potential interaction is not fully understood, intolerable or otherwise undesirable side effects may occur when clonazepam is taken with alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products (such as some cough syrups and elixirs). Potential side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, headache, and nervousness. Because the combination of clonazepam and alcohol (ethanol) may impair your judgment and/or reflexes, it may be dangerous to drive or to perform tasks which require you to be alert after taking these together. It would be advisable to avoid consuming alcohol while you are taking clonazepam. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.
This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity.
Alcohol may deplete natural melatonin in the body. However, melatonin contains substances that promote mild sedation. The chance of drowsiness may increase when supplemental melatonin is used at the same time as alcoholic drinks, which also may be sedating, are consumed. Excessive sleepiness, slowed breathing, loss of muscle control, and even coma may result. In general, supplemental melatonin should be avoided if alcohol is consumed. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.
This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity.
MELATONIN may interact with CLONAZEPAM (in Klonopin)
Melatonin contains substances that promote mild sedation. When it is used at the same time as clonazepam, supplemental melatonin may intensify the sedative effect of clonazepam. Excessive drowsiness, slowed breathing, loss of muscle control, and even coma may result. In general, supplemental melatonin should not be used at the same time as clonazepam. Discuss this potential interaction with your healthcare provider at your next appointment, or sooner if you think you are having problems.
This interaction is well-documented and is considered moderate in severity.
-------------------- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Remember Iam not a Doctor Just someone struggling like you with Tick Borne Diseases.
posted
Well too bad drug digest doesn't link to the documentation it mentions.
Drug digest says "Melatonin may interact with Clonazepam."
Any sleep med can put you into a coma if the dosage is too high, so I think it may be that the dosage of clonazepam must be lowered if using melatonin as in the study by the doctor above.
Drug Digest would be more useful if they provided the info they are referring to.
At least they refer you to discussing the interaction with your healthcare provider as then you will get the proper dosages recommended if using together.
My big concern is if klonopin does deplete melatonin over time it could cause problems with immune system function and premature aging and probably more -- we need melatonin!
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Interactions - If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use melatonin without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Antidepressant Medications - In an animal study, melatonin supplements reduced the antidepressant effects of desipramine and fluoxetine. More research is needed to determine whether these effects would occur in people. In addition, fluoxetine (a member of a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs) has led to measurable depletion of melatonin in people.
Antipsychotic Medications - A common side effect of antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia is a condition called tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder of the mouth characterized by a constant chewing motion and darting action of the tongue. In a study of 22 people with schizophrenia and tardive dyskinesia caused by antipsychotic medications, those who took melatonin supplements had significantly reduced mouth movements compared to those who did not take the supplements.
Benzodiazepines - The combination of melatonin and triazolam (a benzodiazepine medication used for the treatment of anxiety and sleep disorders) improved sleep quality in one study. In addition, there have been a few reports suggesting that melatonin supplements may help individuals stop using long-term benzodiazepine therapy. (Benzodiazepines are highly addictive.)
Blood Pressure Medications - Melatonin may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications like methoxamine and clonidine. In addition, medications in a class called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, nimodipine, felodipine, nisoldipine, and bepridil) may decrease melatonin levels.
Use of beta-blockers (another class of high blood pressure medications including propranolol, acebutolol, atenolol, labetolol, metoprolol, pindolol, nadolol, sotalol, and timolol) may reduce melatonin production in the body.
Blood-thinning Medications, Anticoagulants - Melatonin may increase the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant medications such as warfarin.
Interleukin-2 - In one study of 80 cancer patients, use of melatonin in conjunction with interleukin-2 led to more tumor regression and better survival rates than treatment with interleukin-2 alone.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen may reduce the levels of melatonin in the blood.
Steroids and Immunosuppressant Medications - Melatonin should not be taken with corticosteroids or other medications used to suppress the immune system because the supplement may cause them to be ineffective.
Tamoxifen - Preliminary research suggests that the combination of tamoxifen (a chemotherapy drug) and melatonin may benefit certain patients with breast and other cancers. More research is needed to confirm these results.
Other Substances - Caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can all diminish levels of melatonin in the body while cocaine and amphetamines may increase melatonin production.
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