Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Insulin Levels and Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin supplementation on insulin levels and insulin resistance (IR) through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Results Summary
Melatonin administration significantly reduced insulin levels and HOMA-IR while increasing QUICKI, indicating improved insulin sensitivity and reduced hyperinsulinemia. The study updates previous meta-analyses and supports melatonin as an adjuvant treatment for metabolic disorders involving IR.
Population
376 participants across 8 randomized controlled trials (specific demographics not detailed in the abstract).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin supplementation | decrease | insulin levels | 376 participants | - | significantly reduced | #1 |
melatonin supplementation | decrease | homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) | 376 participants | - | significantly reduced | #2 |
melatonin supplementation | increase | quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) | 376 participants | - | increased | #3 |
melatonin | decrease | hyperinsulinemia | - | - | ameliorated | #4 |
melatonin | decrease | insulin resistance | - | - | ameliorated | #5 |
melatonin | increase | insulin sensitivity | - | - | ameliorated | #6 |
Insulin resistance (IR) is a pivotal process in various metabolic diseases. The well-known treatment is lifestyle modification and medication therapy, which may result in poor compliance and side effects. Melatonin has been suggested to have a role in glucose metabolism, yet the results across studies have been inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a systematic review to evaluate the effects of melatonin supplementation on insulin levels and IR. We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov, and identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published prior to August 2020. Articles were reviewed, selected and extracted by two reviewers independently. In total, 8 RCTs of 376 participants were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model, with mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our results showed that melatonin administration significantly reduced insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). We conclude that melatonin ameliorated hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and insulin sensitivity, and the results are an update of a previous meta-analysis. Although more investigations are required, we clearly provide evidence for the use of melatonin as an adjuvant treatment for metabolic disorders involving IR.