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Melatonin

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  1. Physiology
    1. Pineal gland synthesizes Melatonin from Tryptophan
    2. Endogenous melatonin physiology
      1. Secreted at night
      2. Normally highest levels during sleep
        1. Increases rapidly late evening
        2. Peaks after midnight
        3. Decreases in Morning
  2. Pathophysiology
    1. Elderly with Insomnia
      1. Low levels of melatonin
    2. Blind with irregular sleep cycles
      1. Free Running melatonin
      2. Exogenous melatonin shown to normalize sleep rhythms
        1. Melatonin 5mg at bedtime for 3 weeks
    3. Potential Effects on Sleep
      1. Improved Sleep Efficiency (Sleep Time/Time in bed)
      2. Decreased Nocturnal Awakenings
      3. Improved Sleep quality
      4. Does not Decrease sleep latency
      5. Does not Increase total sleep time
    4. As compared with Benzodiazepines
      1. Not addictive
      2. Does not suppress REM Sleep
      3. Does not increase morning Sleepiness
    5. Future Potential uses
      1. Chemotherapeutic
    6. References
      1. Sack (1991) J Biol Rhythms 6:249
  3. Sources
    1. Marketed as a dietary supplement
      1. Not regulated by FDA
      2. No information on production, purity, manufacturer
    2. Risk of impurities
      1. Example: L-Tryptophan related deaths
  4. Management: General
    1. Effective doses are lower than package insert
  5. Management: Jet Lag
    1. Recent Cochrane review suggests effective at travel
      1. Indications
        1. Travel across 5 or more time zones
        2. May also be useful if 2 or more time zones crossed
        3. Most effective when traveling eastward
      2. Protocol
        1. Take 5 mg PO at bedtime on arrival at destination
        2. Continue for 2-5 days after arrival
      3. References
        1. Smucny (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(11):2087
    2. Other small trials show benefit at travel time
      1. Petrie (1989) Br Med J 298:705
        1. Before travel: 5 mg PO at bedtime for 3 days
        2. After travel: 5 mg PO at bedtime for 3 days
      2. Petrie (1993) Biol Psychiatry 33:526
        1. After travel: 5 mg PO at bedtime for 5 days
      3. Claustrat (1992) Biol Psychiatry 32:705
        1. Before travel: 8 mg PO at bedtime for 1 day
        2. After travel: 8 mg PO at bedtime for 3 days
    3. Trials showing lack of Melatonin benefit in Jet Lag
      1. Hao (2000) J Clin Endocrinol Metab 85(10):3618-22
  6. Management: Insomnia
    1. Some small trials suggest benefit
      1. Garfinkel (1995) Lancet 346:541
        1. Melatonin 2 mg PO 2 hours before bedtime
      2. Dollins (1994) Proc Natl Acad Sci 91:1824
        1. Melatonin 0.3 to 1 mg PO 1-2 hours before bedtime
      3. Zhadanova (1995) Clin Pharmacol Ther 57:552
        1. Melatonin 0.3 to 1 mg PO 1-2 hours before bedtime
  7. Adverse Effects: Standard dosing
    1. Drowsiness
      1. Onset 30 minutes after administered
      2. Duration: 1 hour
    2. Headache
    3. Gastrointestinal upset
    4. Major Depression
  8. Adverse Effects: Higher doses
    1. Hangover sensation
    2. Lethargy
    3. Disorientation
    4. Amnesia
  9. False Claims or myths without scientific support
    1. Anti-Aging effect
    2. Heart and Immune System Strengthening
    3. Improved Sexual Libido and Vitality
    4. Seasonal Affective Disorder treatment
  10. References
    1. Cupp (1997) Am Fam Physician 56(5):1421

Melatonin (C0025219)

Definition (MSH)A biogenic amine that is found in animals and plants. In mammals, melatonin is produced by the PINEAL GLAND. Its secretion increases in darkness and decreases during exposure to light. Melatonin is implicated in the regulation of SLEEP, mood, and REPRODUCTION. Melatonin is also an effective antioxidant.
Definition (CSP)5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, a pineal hormone involved in modulation of skin pigmentation, gonad development, and circadian rhythms.
Definition (PDQ)A recombinant therapeutic analog of melatonin, a natural serotonin-derived indole with antioxidant properties. Melatonin hormone synthesis occurs in the pineal gland and depends on beta-adrenergic receptor function. Melatonin is involved in numerous biological functions: circadian rhythm, sleep, stress response, aging, and immunity. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42346&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42346&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C632" NCI Thesaurus)
Definition (NCI)A hormone involved in sleep regulatory activity, and a tryptophan-derived neurotransmitter, which inhibits the synthesis and secretion of other neurotransmitters such as dopamine and GABA. Melatonin is synthesized from serotonin intermediate in the pineal gland and the retina where the enzyme 5-hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase, that catalyzes the last step of synthesis, is found. This hormone binds to and activates melatonin receptors and is involved in regulating the sleep and wake cycles. In addition, melatonin posesses antioxidative and immunoregulatory properties via regulating other neurotransmitters.
ConceptsPharmacologic Substance (T121) , Neuroreactive Substance or Biogenic Amine (T124) , Hormone (T125)
MSHD008550
English5-Methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine, melanocyte-inhibiting factor, Melatonin, Melatonin preparation, MIH, MLT
Spanishmelatonina, preparado de melatonina
Parent ConceptsAmine hormone (C0312440), Neurohormones (C0597049), Hormones (C0019932), Tryptamines (C0041248), Unclassified Ingredients (C1372954), Unclassified Ingredient Preparations (C1377282), Pituitary Hormones, Anterior (C0032016), Nervous system hormone-like substance (C0312457), Hormones and their metabolites and precursors (C0457550)
SourcesAOD, CSP, LCH, LNC, MSH, MTH, NCI, NDFRT, PDQ, RXNORM, SCTSPA, SNOMEDCT, UWDA, VANDF
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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