Melatonin Intake Does Not Impact Inflammatory Markers in Diabetic CKD Patients: Study

A recent clinical trial published in the BMC Nutrition journal examined the effects of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Despite promising early hypotheses, the study found that melatonin supplementation did not produce statistically significant improvements in these health markers.

The trial was conducted over a period of 10 weeks at Shariati Hospital in Tehran, Iran and involved 41 diabetic patients with CKD stages 3 and 4. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg of melatonin twice daily or a placebo. This research monitored dietary intake, physical activity, and anthropometric data at baseline and tracked key biomarkers for oxidative stress (TAC, TOS, MDA) and inflammation (IL-6, hs-CRP) before and after the intervention.

While melatonin supplementation appeared to reduce levels of several biomarkers, like malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), these reductions did not reach statistical significance. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) also showed no remarkable improvement.

In the context of Oxidative Stress Markers, the TAC (Total Antioxidant Capacity) reflects the ability of the body to counteract oxidative damage. No significant changes were observed. TOS (Total Oxidant Status) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) are indicators of oxidative stress levels. Although these decreased with melatonin supplementation, the changes were not statistically significant.

The IL-6 (Interleukin-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and hs-CRP (High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein) is a marker of systemic inflammation. Both showed a downward trend after melatonin supplementation, though without significant statistical backing. Despite the absence of conclusive results, the study reported no adverse effects from melatonin use.

This research emphasized the need for further investigations with larger sample sizes, higher doses of melatonin, and extended study durations to clarify the supplement's potential benefits for diabetic CKD patients. The findings hold clinical relevance given the growing interest in antioxidant therapies for chronic diseases like CKD, where inflammation and oxidative stress play a crucial role.

Overall, this study adds to the ongoing data by highlighting the importance of robust evidence before recommending melatonin as an effective intervention. Further research could explore optimized dosages and combinations of antioxidants. Meanwhile, this trial offers valuable insights into the nuanced role of melatonin in managing complex metabolic conditions.

Source:

Sadeghi, S., Nassiri, A., Hakemi, M. S., Hosseini, F., Pourrezagholie, F., Naeini, F., Niri, A. N., Imani, H., & Mohammadi, H. (2025). Effects of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. BMC Nutrition, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-025-01026-0