Is a Combination of Melatonin and Amino Acids Useful to Sarcopenic Elderly Patients? A Randomized Trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation, alone or combined with melatonin, on body composition, protein metabolism, strength, and inflammation in elderly sarcopenic patients.
Results Summary
EAA combined with melatonin increased fat-free mass compared to placebo or melatonin alone, but not versus EAA alone. Melatonin alone negatively affected albumin levels, while EAA and melatonin appeared to reduce gynoid and android fat percentages. No significant changes in inflammation or strength were observed.
Population
159 elderly sarcopenic patients (42 men, 117 women).
Effective Dosage
4 g EAA daily.
Duration
4 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
essential amino acids plus melatonin | increase | total fat-free mass | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | +2190 g vs. placebo | increased | #1 |
essential amino acids plus melatonin | increase | total fat-free mass | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | +2107 g vs. melatonin alone | increased | #2 |
melatonin alone | decrease | albumin levels | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | -0.39 g vs. placebo | lowered | #3 |
melatonin alone | decrease | albumin levels | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | -0.47 g vs. essential amino acids alone | lowered | #4 |
melatonin alone | decrease | albumin levels | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | -0.44 g within-group | lowered | #5 |
essential amino acids plus melatonin | decrease | albumin levels | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | -0.34 g within-group | lowered | #6 |
melatonin and essential amino acids | decrease | percentage of gynoid fat | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | - | seemed to lower | #7 |
melatonin and essential amino acids | decrease | percentage of android fat | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | - | seemed to lower | #8 |
4-week intervention of melatonin and essential aminoacid supplementation | no change | inflammation | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | no significant changes | No significant changes | #9 |
4-week intervention of melatonin and essential aminoacid supplementation | no change | strength | 159 elderly sarcopenic patients | no significant changes | No significant changes | #10 |
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 4-week intervention of melatonin and essential aminoacid supplementation on body composition, protein metabolism, strength and inflammation in 159 elderly sarcopenic patients (42/117, men/women), assigned to four groups: isocaloric placebo (P, n = 44), melatonin (M, 1 mg/daily, n = 42), essential amino acids (eAA 4 g/daily, n = 40) or eAA plus melatonin (eAAM, 4 g eAA and 1 mg melatonin/daily, n = 30). Data from body composition (dual X-ray absortiometry (DXA)), strength (handgrip test) and biochemical parameters for the assessment of protein metabolism (albumin) and inflammation (CRP) were collected at baseline and after the 4-week intervention. Compared with P and M, supplementation with eAA plus M increased total fat-free mass (vs. P: +2190 g; p < 0.01; vs. M: +2107 g; p < 0.05). M alone lowered albumin levels (vs. P: -0.39 g; p < 0.01; vs. eAA: -0.47 g; p < 0.01). This data on albumin was confirmed by within-group analysis (M -0.44g; p < 0.001; eAAM: -0.34 p < 0.05). M and eAA seemed to lower the percentage of gynoid fat (p < 0.05) and android fat (p < 0.01). No significant changes in inflammation or strength were reported. A 4-week intervention with eAA plus M together may be effective in enhancing fat-free-mass compared to M and P but not versus eAA. M alone demonstrates a negative effect on albumin level.