Melatonin Supplementation Improves Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes, Research Finds

The findings, published in Current Pharmaceutical Design, indicate that patients with Type 2 diabetes who were supplemented with melatonin experienced significant improvements in their glycemic control. Notably, supplementing with melatonin at doses exceeding 6 mg daily for over 12 weeks appears to be more effective than other forms of intervention.

Melatonin, a hormone primarily produced by the pineal gland, is known for regulating sleep-wake cycles. However, it also has antioxidant properties and influences insulin sensitivity, making it a topic of interest in diabetes research.

Several previous studies have suggested that melatonin supplementation may positively affect glycemic control in patients with diabetes. However, the research regarding the effects of melatonin on glycemic parameters remains inconclusive. Therefore, Reza Nejad Shahrokh Abadi, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, and colleagues sought to evaluate the effects of melatonin supplementation on glycemic parameters in individuals with Type 2 diabetes through a meta-analysis.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science until July 2024 to identify eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs). They estimated overall effect sizes using a random-effects model, presenting the results as weighted mean differences (WMD). Additionally, the heterogeneity among the included trials was evaluated using the Cochran Q test, with interpretations based on the I² statistic.

The research revealed the following findings:

• Out of 1,361 papers reviewed, eight eligible RCTs were included in this meta-analysis.
• The results revealed that melatonin supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (WMD = -12.65 mg/dl), insulin levels (WMD = -2.30 μU/ml), hemoglobin A1c (WMD = -0.79%), and HOMA-IR (WMD = -0.83).

This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that melatonin supplementation may provide significant benefits for glycemic control in individuals with Type 2 diabetes, especially at higher doses and over longer durations.

"As awareness of personalized treatment strategies in diabetes care increases, melatonin could become a valuable adjunct therapy. However, further research involving larger sample sizes is essential to establish definitive conclusions," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Abadi, Reza Nejad Shahrokh, et al. "Impact of Melatonin Supplementation On Glycemic Parameters in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2024.