Pharmacodynamic evaluation of the effects of oral melatonin on expression of the T-cell cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon gamma in the dog.

Results indicate that melatonin therapy does not significantly affect IL-2 or IFN-γ expression in healthy dogs. While melatonin is thought to have an effect on the immune system in dogs, it does not appear this effect is through altering T-cell IL-2 or IFN-γ expression. Further studies investigating the effects of melatonin on the immune system of dogs are warranted.