Pharmacokinetics of oral melatonin in high-risk critically ill : standard formulation vs incapsulation in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN)

Introduction Melatonin could be useful in critically ill thanks to its antioxidant, immunomodulating, and hypnagogue effects. When administered orally, its bioavailability is limited by a marked first pass hepatic metabolism. Incorporation in SLN, targeted to lymph after enteral administration may create a sustained release delivery system. This could maintain a prolonged blood concentration, and allow cellular internalization independent from MT1/MT2 membrane receptors.