Melatonin attenuates light-at-night effects on systolic blood pressure and body temperature but does not affect diastolic blood pressure and heart rate circadian rhythms

ABSTRACT

Aim of the present study is to assess whether 1.5mg of exogenous melatonin provided under modified CR in constant light (~400 lx) is capable to mimic effects of dark phase. Forty-six young adults (YA), 17–24 years old of both genders were studied under amodified CR protocol for 26 h. Initially, participants were investigated under constant light (CR-LL) and 2 weeks later under the same conditions though 1.5mg melatonin (Melaxen) was given orally at 22:30. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR) and body temperature (BT) were measured every 2 h. To verify the effect of constant light, formerly published results obtained under light-dark conditions (CR-LD) were reanalyzed.

Administration of 1.5 mg of exogenous melatonin modified the 24 h patterns of BT and SBP within short 3.5 h time window but did not influence DBP and HR. A short-term reduction of SBP and BT for 1.5–3.5 hours was observed. The values in the CR-LL+M group were significantly lower than in CR-LL at 2:00 h. Hence, exogenous melatonin did mimic the scotophase. Though this effect was gender-specific and found only in female YA.

Results of this study prompt further research to qualify and quantify dosage-, duration- and time-dependent differences of melatonin effects, to discern between short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) melatonin administration, and to clarify its underlying mechanisms.

KEYWORDS:

• Melatonin
• circadian rhythms
• body temperature
• blood pressure
• heart rate
• constant routine
• ambient light
• light at night
• young adults
• sex
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.