Elevated melatonin levels in natalizumab-treated female patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: relationship to oxidative stress.

Natalizumab is currently the most successful clinical treatment for multiple sclerosis. The use of this drug is associated with the reduction in the number of relapses and a slowing in disease progression, as well as an improvement in signs and symptoms displayed by the patients. To evaluate the effect of natalizumab on melatonin and its relationship with peripheral oxidative damage, we studied the serum melatonin levels in 18 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Natalizumab caused significant increases in serum melatonin concentrations. This change was associated with a rise in increase of antioxidants and a reduction in oxidative stress biomarkers. In conclusion, these data may explain, at least in part, some of the beneficial effects exhibited by disease antibody such as its antioxidant capacity.