Effects of melatonin on blood pressure, arterial stiffness and quality of life in postmenopausal women: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether 10 mg melatonin supplementation improves cardiovascular markers (blood pressure, pulse wave velocity) and sleep quality in healthy postmenopausal women.
Results Summary
Melatonin supplementation did not significantly improve pulse wave velocity, blood pressure, or sleep quality compared to placebo in healthy postmenopausal women. Both groups had poor baseline sleep quality, which remained unchanged after treatment.
Population
Healthy postmenopausal women (mean age 63 years, range 55-75).
Effective Dosage
10 mg per day.
Duration
3 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 mg melatonin per day | no change | pulse wave velocity (PWV) | postmenopausal women | Placebo 1.1% (IQR -2.1;9.9) vs. melatonin 0.0% (IQR-9.8;4.1), p = 0.43 | did not differ between groups | #1 |
10 mg melatonin per day | no change | blood pressure | postmenopausal women | - | no significant differences | #2 |
10 mg melatonin per day | no change | quality of sleep evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) | postmenopausal women | placebo: PSQI 6.0 (IQR 3.3; 8.8) vs. melatonin PSQI 6.0 (IQR 3.0; 10.0), p = 0.94 | did not change in response to treatment | #3 |
OBJECTIVES: Studies suggest that melatonin may promote cardiovascular protection. Previous trials have primarily been performed on co-morbid patients. Little information exist on the effect in postmenopausal women with general good health. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: In a double-blinded placebo-controlled study, we randomized 41 postmenopausal women to either 10 mg melatonin per day or placebo for 3 months. OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes of the trial was changes in blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and quality of sleep evaluated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: Thirty-nine women completed the study. Mean age was 63 years (range 55-75 years). Over the 3 months of the trial, PWV did not differ between groups: Placebo 1.1% (IQR -2.1;9.9) vs. melatonin 0.0% (IQR-9.8;4.1), p = 0.43). The were no significant differences in blood pressure bewteen melatonin and placebo group. Both groups had a pour quality of sleep at baseline (placebo: PSQI 6.0 (IQR 3.3; 8.8) vs. melatonin PSQI 6.0 (IQR 3.0; 10.0), p = 0.94), which did not change in response to treatment. CONCLUSION: In healthy postmenopausal women, supplementation with 10 mg melatonin was well-tolerated, but we did not observe any significant improvements in pulse wave velocity, blood pressure or quality of sleep compared with placebo.