Acute Metabolic Effects of Melatonin Treatment

Modern living is associated with an epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Sleep disturbances such as insomnia and frequent awakenings are strong independent risk factors for incident diabetes with a magnitude of effect comparable to a family history of diabetes. Melatonin has been implicated in regulation of circadian rhythm and sleep, but it is also ascribed anti-oxidative properties and effects on glucose homeostasis. In pancreatic islets melatonin have dual effects depending on which signaling pathway is activated by receptor binding, thus both inhibitory and stimulatory effects on insulin secretion have been reported. The effect of melatonin on the secretion of gut hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and influence of melatonin on beta cell sensitivity to gut hormones is largely unknown, but the presence of the melatonin receptor in the gut suggests that it may have a role. A potential association between melatonin and T2DM has only been addressed in few human physiological studies, but the topic has received renewed interest since genetic-epidemiological studies have pointed to a role for melatonin in the development of the disease. Genetic mutations in the melatonin receptor which is predicted to change the physiological effects of melatonin have been found to increase the risk for T2DM. Additionally, low endogenous melatonin production has been linked to T2DM risk.

The aim of the present study is to examine whether treatment with synthetic melatonin induces physiological changes that affect the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Two studies of the physiological effects of melatonin are included in the present protocol:

Study A:

In order to study the acute effects of melatonin administration in healthy men, the investigators aim for assessing whether:

• Melatonin affects the substrate turn-over as evaluated by indirect calorimetry
• Melatonin has influence on the ability to secrete insulin as assessed by intravenous glucose tolerance test
• Melatonin affects the physiological effects of insulin as assessed by use of the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp
• Genetic mutations in the melatonin receptor gene affect the treatment response to melatonin

Study B:

The investigators aim for examining if melatonin given to healthy men affects the secretion of the glucose-lowering gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and/or affect the glucose-lowering effects of GLP-1. Specifically, the aim is to assess whether:

• Melatonin affects the glucose excursions and insulin secretion during an oral glucose tolerance test
• Melatonin affects the secretion of GLP-1 during an oral glucose tolerance test
• Melatonin affects the incretin response as assessed by an isoglycemic glucose infusion

Inclusion criteria

• Male sex
• Age 20-40 years
• BMI between 22-30 kg/m2
• Written consent prior to study participation

Exclusion criteria

• Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (fasting p-glucose ≥ 6.1mmol/L)
• Daily use of a prescription drug
• Shift work within the last year
• Travel across >2 time zones in the past three months
• Use of melatonin on a regular basis within the last year
• Severe illness
• High performance athletes
• Daily tobacco smoking
• Previous diagnosis of a sleep disorder
• Present or earlier alcohol or drug abuse
• Unable to give informed consent
• Allergy towards melatonin