## Did you know that...

...the increased concentration of reactive oxygen species and the subsequent occurrence of oxidative stress in cells are associated with many serious human diseases, for example leprosy or the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease? A team of scientists from Mexico studied the use of melatonin in patients with Parkinson's Disease. Melatonin is an antioxidant that can absorb reactive particles in cells, thereby preventing serious damage to cells. In this study, the authors monitored markers of oxidative stress, namely protein carbonylation, oxidative damage of lipids, activity of antioxidant enzymes and activity of respiratory chain complexes in mitochondria in two groups of patients. The first group was given melatonin twice a day (at lunch and approximately 30 minutes before bedtime), while the second (control) group received a placebo. The experiment lasted 30 days and the results were that patients who were given melatonin showed a reduction in markers of oxidative stress compared to the control group and recovery of the respiratory chain complex activity. These results suggest that melatonin could be part of the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.