Will melatonin supplementation become a new form of obesity treatment? A review of recent literature.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2024.22.54679Keywords
melatonin, BMI, weight loss, obesityAbstract
Background: In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 650 million adults worldwide are obese, and 2.8 billion individuals struggle with overweight. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, adverse effects on mental health, the development of certain cancers, and other conditions. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of melatonin, which has therapeutic potential in the treatment of obesity. Studies suggest that melatonin supplementation may lead to weight reduction and improvement in metabolic parameters, significantly reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors, and enhance insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.
Aim of study: This review aims to present the latest scientific findings on the impact of melatonin supplementation on the development of obesity and its complications. We focus primarily on the mechanisms of melatonin's action in the context of obesity, particularly on potential pathways that have not yet been thoroughly explored. Our aim is to provide deeper insights into research on obesity and its prevention.
Materials and Methods: Search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases, utilizing the keywords "obesity," "melatonin," and "weight loss" in various configurations. The review primarily considers studies published after 2016 that are available online.
Summary
Melatonin supplementation leads to a statistically significant reduction in blood glucose levels and an increase in cellular insulin sensitivity. Its promising properties in the treatment of obesity have been demonstrated through the reduction of oxidative stress, indicating a potential adjunct for weight loss. Based on the cited studies, the beneficial effects of melatonin supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors have been confirmed. Melatonin could be considered as an adjunctive therapy for obese individuals who do not respond to other treatment modalities.
References
Caballero B. Humans against Obesity: Who Will Win? Adv Nutr. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy055
Chooi YC, Ding C, Magkos F. The epidemiology of obesity. Metabolism. 2019;92:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2018.09.005
Światowa Organizacja Zdrowia. Otyłość i nadwaga. 2023 Dostępne w: https://pulsmedycyny.pl/who-otylosc-to-choroba-ktora-dotyka-800-mln-ludzi-na-swiecie-1110168(dostęp: 2023.07.13).
OECD, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. Polska: Profil systemu ochrony zdrowia 2023. 2023 Sep;
Lauby-Secretan B, Scoccianti C, Loomis D, Grosse Y, Bianchini F, Straif K. Body Fatness and Cancer — Viewpoint of the IARC Working Group. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(8):794-798. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1606602
Międzynarodowa Agencja Badań nad Rakiem. IARC przyczynia się do sprawozdania WHO dla regionu Europy o otyłości 2022. https://www.iarc.who.int/teams-gcp/ (dostęp: 2023.07.13).
Donohoe F, Wilkinson M, Baxter E, Brennan DJ. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and obesity-related cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(4):1241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041241
Minich DM, Henning M, Darley C, Fahoum M, Schuler CB, Frame J. Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements. Nutrients. 2022;14(19):3934. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14193934
CM A. Obesity: definition, comorbidities, causes, and burden. Am J Manag Care. 2016;22(7 Suppl).
Navarro-Masip È, Caron A, Mulero M, Arola L, Aragonès G. Photoperiodic Remodeling of Adiposity and Energy Metabolism in Non-Human Mammals. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(2):1008. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021008
Mostafavi SA, Akhondzadeh S, Mohammadi MR, Keshtkar AA, Hosseini S, Eshraghian MR, et al. Role of Melatonin in Body Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Curr Pharm Des. 2016;23(23):3449-3461. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161129145618
Sadiq Z, Varghese E, Büsselberg D. Cisplatin’s dual-effect on the circadian clock triggers proliferation and apoptosis. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms. 2020;9:100054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbscr.2020.100054
Socaciu AI, Ionuţ R, Socaciu MA, Ungur AP, Bârsan M, Chiorean A, et al. Melatonin, an ubiquitous metabolic regulator: functions, mechanisms and effects on circadian disruption and degenerative diseases. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2020;21:433-448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11154-020-09570-9
Ma N, Zhang J, Reiter RJ, Ma X. Melatonin mediates mucosal immune cells, microbial metabolism, and rhythm crosstalk: A therapeutic target to reduce intestinal inflammation. Med Res Rev. 2020;40(3):606-632. https://doi.org/10.1002/med.21628
Contreras-Correa ZE, Messman RD, Swanson RM, Lemley CO. Melatonin in Health and Disease: A Perspective for Livestock Production. Biomolecules. 2023;13(3):490. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13030490
Bu S, Wang Q, Sun J, Li X, Gu T, Lai D. Melatonin suppresses chronic restraint stress-mediated metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer via NE/AKT/β-catenin/SLUG axis. Cell Death Dis. 2020;11(8):748. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41419-020-02906-y
Owino S, Buonfiglio DDC, Tchio C, Tosini G. Melatonin signaling a key regulator of glucose homeostasis and energy metabolism. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:488. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00488
Ferlazzo N, Andolina G, Cannata A, Costanzo MG, Rizzo V, Currò M, et al. Is melatonin the cornucopia of the 21st century? Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1088. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111088
Obayashi K, Saeki K, Iwamoto J, Okamoto N, Tomioka K, Nezu S, et al. Exposure to light at night, nocturnal urinary melatonin excretion, and obesity/dyslipidemia in the elderly: A cross-sectional analysis of the HEIJO-KYO study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013;98(1):337-344. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2012-2874
Genario R, Cipolla-Neto J, Bueno AA, Santos HO. Melatonin supplementation in the management of obesity and obesity-associated disorders: A review of physiological mechanisms and clinical applications. Pharmacol Res. 2021;163:105254. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010218
Bartness TJ, Wade GN. Photoperiodic control of body weight and energy metabolism in syrian hamsters (mesocricetus auratus): Role of pineal gland, melatonin, gonads, and diet. Endocrinology. 1984;114(2):492-498. https://doi.org/10.1210/endo-114-2-492
Tan DX, Manchester LC, Fuentes-Broto L, Paredes SD, Reiter RJ. Significance and application of melatonin in the regulation of brown adipose tissue metabolism: Relation to human obesity. Obes Rev. 2011;12(3):167-188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00756.x
Szewczyk-Golec K, Rajewski P, Gackowski M, Mila-Kierzenkowska C, Wesołowski R, Sutkowy P, et al. Melatonin Supplementation Lowers Oxidative Stress and Regulates Adipokines in Obese Patients on a Calorie-Restricted Diet. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017;2017:8494107. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8494107
Zhang M, Liu J, Yu C, Tang S, Jiang G, Zhang J, et al. Berberine Regulation of Cellular Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Autophagy by Modulation of m6A mRNA Methylation through Targeting the Camk1db/ERK Pathway in Zebrafish-Hepatocytes. Antioxidants. 2022;11(12):2370. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11122370
Walecka-Kapica E, Klupińska G, Chojnacki J, Tomaszewska-Warda K, Błońska A, Chojnacki C. The effect of melatonin supplementation on the quality of sleep and weight status in postmenopausal women. Prz Menopauzalny. 2014;13(6):334-338. https://doi.org/10.5114/pm.2014.47986
McFadden E, Jones ME, Schoemaker MJ, Ashworth A, Swerdlow AJ. The relationship between obesity and exposure to light at night: Cross-sectional analyses of over 100,000 women in the breakthrough generations study. Am J Epidemiol. 2014;180(3):245-250. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwu117
Lee S il, Matsumori K, Nishimura K, Nishimura Y, Ikeda Y, Eto T, et al. Melatonin suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis in Apc Min/+ mice via stat3 activation. Molecules. 2020;25(11):2476. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112476
Côté I, Lesage J, Carrier J. Modulation of circadian rhythms and sleep in cancer patients. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. 2018;12(4):353-359. https://doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0000000000000379
Agathocleous M, Schneider M, Drummond CJ, Frøkjaer-Jensen C, Peterson RT, Pearce EJ. Coordination of cellular metabolism and blood flow in cancer: Role of melatonin. Cancer Cell. 2020;37(2):202-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccell.2019.12.013
Allard J, Cote M, Simoneau G, Couture P, Provencher L. Association between shift-work and the risk of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Occup Environ Med. 2022;64(8):673-681. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002515
Markkanen M, Lehto T, Helander M, Ojanen T, Ylipaavalniemi P. Effect of melatonin supplementation on sleep quality and weight loss in obese women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 2021;13(9):3122. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13093122
Taku K, Umegaki K, Sato Y, Taki Y, Endoh K, Watanabe M. Melatonin supplementation for primary sleep disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Geriatr. 2021;21(1):236. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02171-1
Srinivasan V, Pandi-Perumal SR, Spence DW, Moscovitch A, Trakht I, Brown GM, et al. Melatonin in mood disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2019;20(11):820-835. https://doi.org/10.1080/15622975.2019.1614320
Mauriz JL, Collado PS, Veneroso C, Reiter RJ, González-Gallego J. A review of the molecular aspects of melatonin's anti-inflammatory actions: recent insights and new perspectives. J Pineal Res. 2013;54(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-079X.2012.01014.x
Reiter RJ, Tan DX, Manchester LC, Paredes SD, Mayo JC, Sainz RM. Melatonin and reproduction revisited. Biol Reprod. 2009;81(3):445-456. https://doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.108.075655
Sharma R, Martin SA, Nejati A, Grau A, Chamorro-Pareja N, Dyner L, et al. Melatonin supplementation for sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances in cancer patients. J Pineal Res. 2020;68(3). https://doi.org/10.1111/jpi.12639
Andersen LP, Gogenur I, Rosenberg J, Reiter RJ. The safety of melatonin in humans. Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(3):169-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-015-0368-5
Tan DX, Manchester LC, Reiter RJ, Plummer BF, Limson AM, Weintraub ST, et al. Melatonin directly scavenges hydrogen peroxide: a potentially new metabolic pathway of melatonin biotransformation. Free Radic Biol Med. 2000;29(11):1177-1185. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0891-5849(00)00435-4
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Natalia Żak, Aleksandra Błaszczyk, Aldona Pażyra, Natalia Kusak, Barbara Jaworska, Paweł Stanicki
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 102
Number of citations: 0
