Does a melatonin supplement alter the course of gastro-esophageal reflux disease?

Symptomatic gastro-esophageal reflux disease(GERD) is a very common disease.The consequence of GERD is not only erosive esophagitis,but also esophageal stricture,Barrett’s esophagus and extra-esophageal damage(including the lungs,throat,sinuses,middle ear and teeth).GERD and Barrett’s esophagus are also identif ied 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,Barrett’s and neoplasia.