Plasma insulin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin, and melatonin in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis patients treated with melatonin.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the effects of melatonin on insulin resistance and plasma levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, and resistin in patients with NASH.
Results Summary
Melatonin significantly reduced HOMA-IR by 60% and increased adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin levels by 119%, 33%, and 20%, respectively, but did not significantly affect resistin levels.
Population
16 patients with histologically proven NASH.
Effective Dosage
10 mg/day.
Duration
28 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | decrease | plasma liver enzymes | patients with NASH | - | significantly improved | #1 |
melatonin | decrease | HOMA-IR | patients with NASH | 60% | significantly reduced | #2 |
melatonin | increase | adiponectin plasma levels | patients with NASH | 119% | rose significantly | #3 |
melatonin | increase | leptin plasma levels | patients with NASH | 33% | rose significantly | #4 |
melatonin | increase | ghrelin plasma levels | patients with NASH | 20% | rose significantly | #5 |
melatonin | no change | plasma resistin levels | patients with NASH | - | was not significant | #6 |
Insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and an abnormal production of adipokines and cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Recently, we reported a significant improvement in plasma liver enzymes among patients with NASH treated with melatonin. In this study, we investigated the effect of melatonin, administered at a dose of 10 mg/day for 28 days to 16 patients with histologically proven NASH on insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), on the plasma levels of adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin, and resistin. Additionally, plasma levels of aminotransferases and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase as well as plasma concentrations of melatonin were evaluated. Median baseline values of HOMA-IR, leptin (ng/mL), and resistin (pg/mL) in patients with NASH were significantly higher in comparison with controls: 4.90 versus 1.60, 10.70 versus 4.30, and 152 versus 91, respectively. Median adiponectin level (μg/mL) was decreased in patients compared to controls: 6.40 versus 16.25; no significant difference in ghrelin levels between patients and controls was found. After melatonin treatment, the median value of HOMA-IR was significantly reduced by 60% as compared to baseline values, whereas adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin plasma levels rose significantly by 119%, 33%, and 20%, respectively; the difference between pre-/posttreatment in plasma resistin levels was not significant. These findings make melatonin a suitable candidate for testing in patients with NASH in the large controlled clinical trials.