%0 Journal Article
%T Does a melatonin supplement alter the course of gastro-esophageal reflux disease?
%A Mariusz H Madalinski
%J World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics
%D 2011
%I Baishideng Publishing Group Co. Limited
%R 10.4292/wjgpt.v2.i6.50
%X Symptomatic gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a very common disease. The consequence of GERD is not only erosive esophagitis, but also esophageal stricture, BarrettĄ¯s esophagus and extra-esophageal damage (including the lungs, throat, sinuses, middle ear and teeth). GERD and BarrettĄ¯s esophagus are also identified as major risk factors for esophageal carcinoma. Therapy with melatonin prevents esophageal injury from acid-pepsin and acid-pepsin-bile exposure in animals, then further studies are required in humans to establish whether a melatonin supplement is able to protect the patients with GERD from erosions, BarrettĄ¯s and neoplasia.
%K Gastro-esophageal reflux disease
%K Melatonin
%K Chemoprotection
%K Barrett's
%U http://www.wjgnet.com/2150-5349/full/v2/i6/50.htm