Melatonin and glucose metabolism: clinical relevance.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the role of melatonin in glucose homeostasis, its influence on insulin secretion, and its potential link to type 2 diabetes risk.
Results Summary
The study found that melatonin disturbances are linked to impaired insulin, glucose, and lipid metabolism, and that melatonin influences insulin secretion. A polymorphism in the melatonin receptor 1B was associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk, suggesting melatonin may protect pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress.
Population
Patients with diabetes and general metabolic disturbances.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin | increase | insulin secretion | in vivo and in vitro | - | influence | #1 |
night-time melatonin levels | increase | night-time insulin concentrations | patients with diabetes | - | related to | #2 |
single nucleotide polymorphism of the human melatonin receptor 1B | increase | developing type 2 diabetes | - | - | causally linked to an increased risk | #3 |
endogenous melatonin | increase | diabetes and associated metabolic disturbances | - | - | play a role | #4 |
exogenous melatonin | increase | diabetes and associated metabolic disturbances | - | - | play a role | #5 |
melatonin | decrease | against reactive oxygen species | pancreatic β-cells | - | providing protection | #6 |
The role of melatonin in glucose homeostasis is an active area of investigation. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a link between disturbances in melatonin production and impaired insulin, glucose, lipid metabolism, and antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, melatonin has been found to influence insulin secretion both in vivo and in vitro, and night-time melatonin levels are related to night-time insulin concentrations in patients with diabetes. In several recent studies, a single nucleotide polymorphism of the human melatonin receptor 1B has been described as being causally linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these data suggest that endogenous as well as exogenous melatonin may play a role in diabetes and associated metabolic disturbances not only by regulating insulin secretion but also by providing protection against reactive oxygen species, considering pancreatic β-cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative stress because they possess only low-antioxidative capacity.