Study on Melatonin

[dannyboy9]

UPDATE:

Melatonin stimulates growth hormone secretion through pathways other than the growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Valcavi R, Zini M, Maestroni GJ, Conti A, Portioli I.

2a Divisione di Medicina Interna, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of GH secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanisms by which melatonin modulates GH secretion. Thus we assessed the effect of oral melatonin on the GH responses to GHRH administration and compared the effects of melatonin with those of pyridostigmine, a cholinergic agonist drug which is likely to suppress hypothalamic somatostatin release. DESIGN: The study consisted of four protocols carried out during the afternoon hours. Study 1: oral melatonin (10 mg) or placebo were administered 60 minutes prior to GHRH (100 micrograms i.v. bolus). Study 2: GHRH (100 micrograms i.v. bolus) or placebo were administered at 0 minutes; oral melatonin or placebo were given at 60 minutes and were followed by a second GHRH stimulus (100 micrograms i.v. bolus) at 120 minutes. Study 3: placebo; oral melatonin (10 mg); oral pyridostigmine (120 mg); melatonin (10 mg) plus pyridostigmine (120 mg) were administered on separate occasions. Study 4: placebo; oral melatonin (10 mg); oral pyridostigmine (120 mg); melatonin (10 mg) plus pyridostigmine (120 mg) were administered on separate occasions 60 minutes prior to a submaximal dose (3 micrograms i.v. bolus) of GHRH. SUBJECTS: Four groups of eight normal male subjects, ages 22-35 years, were randomly assigned to each protocol. MEASUREMENTS: Growth hormone was measured by RIA at 15-minute intervals. RESULTS: Oral melatonin administration had a weak stimulatory effect on GH basal levels. Prior melatonin administration approximately doubled the GH release induced by supramaximal (100 micrograms) or submaximal (3 micrograms) doses of GHRH. Melatonin administration restored the GH response to a second GHRH challenge, given 120 minutes after a first GHRH i.v. bolus. The GH releasing effects of pyridostigmine, either alone or followed by GHRH, were greater than those of melatonin. However, the simultaneous administration of melatonin and pyridostigmine was not followed by any further enhancement of GH release, either in the absence or in the presence of exogenous GHRH. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that oral administration of melatonin to normal human males increases basal GH release and GH responsiveness to GHRH through the same pathways as pyridostigmine. Therefore it is likely that melatonin plays this facilitatory role at the hypothalamic level by inhibiting endogenous somatostatin releas

[Duffman]

ok not to sound stupid but i have a college degree and i still can't make heads or tails out of that last study?

[dannyboy9]

What is there to get?

I just skimmed it.

I didn't thoroughly read it myself


The thesis statement should say it all though right?:

"There is evidence that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of GH secretion"

[dannyboy9]

Another Grape Excuse To Hit The Bottle
Posted by:
Society of Chemical Industry
on 06-17-2006.

"The discovery of melatonin in grape skin could explain why so many of us hit the bottle in the evening to wind down after a day's hard slog."

Red Wine and Melatonin

Scientists in Italy say they have discovered that the grapes used to make some of the most popular red wines contain high levels of the sleep hormone melatonin. (Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture DOI 10.1002/jsfa2537). Melatonin is naturally secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, especially at night. It tells the body when it is time to sleep.

The discovery of melatonin in grape skin could explain why so many of us hit the bottle in the evening to wind down after a day's hard slog. 'The melatonin content in wine could help regulate the circadian rhythm [sleep-wake patterns], just like the melatonin produced by the pineal gland in mammals,' says researcher Iriti Marcello at the University of Milan.

Until recently, melatonin was thought to be exclusively produced by mammals but has recently been discovered in plants. It is thought to have antioxidant properties. Iriti's study discovered high levels of melatonin in Nebbolo, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Sangiovesse and Croatina grape varieties.

Iriti's team have also shown that melatonin content can be enhanced in grapes by treating vines with a plant vaccine Benzothiadiazole.

Richard Wurtman of the brain and cognitive science department at MIT is unconvinced, however, and believes further research is needed to determine whether the comp

[Steve4king]

I was looking at different melatonin brands. Some were 500mg and recommended 1/2 to 1 pill before bed. I found one 10mg pill that recommended 1-3 pills.

I was a little worried about reducing my natural melatonin production so I tried to stick to 3mg or less.

Since the human body only gets about 2 hours of deep regenerative sleep at night and research has shown the supplementation of melatonin to increase the time in regenerative sleep; I am curious as to whether the use of melatonin after heavy workouts might increase my gains.

Unfortunately I have a very chemically resistant body, Caffeine does very little to me, it takes me a lot to get drunk, it takes longer for anesthesia to put me to sleep. 3mg lozenge and 1mg sustained melatonin didn't do a thing to me as far as I could tell.

I will increase and try again tomorrow (legs day)

[Caferacer]

Originally Posted by Steve4king

I was looking at different melatonin brands. Some were 500mg and recommended 1/2 to 1 pill before bed. I found one 10mg pill that recommended 1-3 pills.

I was a little worried about reducing my natural melatonin production so I tried to stick to 3mg or less.

Since the human body only gets about 2 hours of deep regenerative sleep at night and research has shown the supplementation of melatonin to increase the time in regenerative sleep; I am curious as to whether the use of melatonin after heavy workouts might increase my gains.

Unfortunately I have a very chemically resistant body, Caffeine does very little to me, it takes me a lot to get drunk, it takes longer for anesthesia to put me to sleep. 3mg lozenge and 1mg sustained melatonin didn't do a thing to me as far as I could tell.

I will increase and try again tomorrow (legs day)

For some people it's hit or miss. Don't expect it to be like ambien where it feels like someone hit you with a board and you get knocked out. Every experience I have had with it is it makes you sleep better, but it won't knock you out immediately, or for some, at all.

If you get funky dreams, thats the melatonin too.

[HuevoHead]

Ive been taking melotonin for about 6 years and I haven't had side effects or sleep problems. A couple of days after regular use it might take longer to fall asleep but you won't be up all night stairing at the ceiling.

Yeah some of the dreams are vivid but not all and 5 minutes after you wake up you won't remember anyway, not only that but I rarely have bad dreams. Also, when I was stationed in germany it used to help w/ adjusting to the time diifference when I came back from leave from the states.

[Steve4king]

I'm thinking ill ask my doctor about other alternatives.. not just because of the risks of dependancy or suppression of the natural hormones; but because even 9mg of melatonin does nothing to me.

[Merk0135]

Originally Posted by Cammo

It's like a study I found where a suppliment was causing lab rats to become depressed....... How the fcuk do they know if a rat's depressed!!

LOL, you crack me up, dude.