Metabolic Effects of Melatonin Treatment
Metabolic Effects of Melatonin Treatment
Modern living is associated with an epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or frequent awakenings are strong risk factors for T2DM with several studies indicating a central role of melatonin. Additionally, a certain single nucleotide polymorphism in the melatonin receptor gene, MTNR1B rs10830963, with an allele frequency of 30 %, is associated with increased fasting plasma glucose and T2DM. Due to treatment of, among other things, insomnia, the use of melatonin is increasing rapidly in Denmark with a 100-fold increase from 2007-2012 in children and adolescents. No previous studies have thoroughly assessed changes in glucose and fatty acid metabolism after 3 months of melatonin treatment in patients with T2DM.
Modern living is associated with an epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sleep disturbances such as insomnia or frequent awakenings are strong risk factors for T2DM with several studies indicating a central role of melatonin. Additionally, a certain single nucleotide polymorphism in the melatonin receptor gene, MTNR1B rs10830963, with an allele frequency of 30 %, is associated with increased fasting plasma glucose and T2DM. Due to treatment of, among other things, insomnia, the use of melatonin is increasing rapidly in Denmark with a 100-fold increase from 2007-2012 in children and adolescents. No previous studies have thoroughly assessed changes in glucose and fatty acid metabolism after 3 months of melatonin treatment in patients with T2DM.
Main research questions:
Participants will be examined on two occasions, 1) after 3 months of daily melatonin treatment before bedtime (10 mg), and 2) after 3 months of daily placebo treatment before bedtime.
On the study days, participants will initially undergo a basal period with glucose - and palmitate tracer infusions to assess endogenous glucose production and free fatty acid production. Afterwards a Botnia clamp, which combines an intravenous glucose tolerance test and a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, will be performed to assess β-cell function and insulin sensitivity. On both study days muscle - and fat biopsies will be performed under both basal and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic conditions.
Perspectives: It is highly relevant to evaluate the chronic effects of melatonin on glucose - and fat metabolism given the increase in melatonin consumption. Furthermore, the study may open for new treatment options of T2DM if beneficial effects of oral melatonin are detected.
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria: