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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Melatonin Increases Brown Adipose Tissue Volume and Activity in Patients With Melatonin Deficiency: A Proof-of-Concept Study

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Author(s):
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Halpern, Bruno [1] ; Mancini, Marcio C. [1] ; Bueno, Clarissa [2] ; Barcelos, Isabella P. [2] ; de Melo, Maria Edna [1] ; Lima, Marcos S. [3] ; Carneiro, Camila G. [3] ; Sapienza, Marcelo T. [3] ; Buchpiguel, Carlos Alberto [3] ; do Amaral, Fernanda Gaspar [4] ; Cipolla-Neto, Jose [5]
Total Authors: 11
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Dept Endocrinol & Metab, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Dept Pediat Neurol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Nucl Med Inst, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[4] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Physiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci, Dept Physiol & Biophys, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Diabetes; v. 68, n. 5, p. 947-952, MAY 1 2019.
Web of Science Citations: 3
Abstract

Melatonin, a pineal hormone synthesized at night, is critical for the synchronization of circadian and seasonal rhythms, being a key regulator of energy metabolism in many animal species. Although studies in humans are lacking, several reports, mainly on hibernating animals, demonstrated that melatonin supplementation and a short photoperiod increase brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass. The present proof-of-concept study is the first, to our knowledge, to evaluate BAT in patients with melatonin deficiency (radiotherapy or surgical removal of pineal gland) before and after daily melatonin (3 mg) replacement for 3 months. All four studied patients presented increased BAT volume and activity measured by positron emission tomography-MRI. We also found an improvement in total cholesterol and triglyceride blood levels without significant effects on body weight, liver fat, and HDL and LDL levels. Albeit not statistically significant, fasting insulin levels and HOMA of insulin resistance decreased in all four patients. The present results show that oral melatonin replacement increases BAT volume and activity and improves blood lipid levels in patients with melatonin deficiency, suggesting that melatonin is a possible BAT activator. Future studies are warranted because hypomelatoninemia is usually present in aging and appears as a result of light-at-night exposure and/or the use of beta-blocker drugs. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/52920-0 - Melatonin and the control of energy metabolism: central and peripheral actions and the circadian timing of the metabolic function
Grantee:José Cipolla Neto
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants