Melatonin Potentiates the Therapeutic Effects of Metformin in Women with Metabolic Syndrom

Abstract

The pathophysiological mechanism behind metabolic syndrome is the resistance of many tissues to the regulatory effect of insulin. Many reports

emerged recently about the effect of melatonin in increasing the responsiveness of tissues to the effect of insulin in diabetic patients, suggesting

the use of this dietary supplement as adjuvant treatment in those patients. No clinical data on the pharmacological use of this supplement in this

respect were available to support its beneficial role in metabolic syndrome.

Results: The treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome using metformin–melatonin showed an improvement in most metabolic syndrome

components such as fasting serum glucose (FSG), lipid profile, and body mass index (BMI), in addition to a reduction in insulin resistance and

hyperinsulinemia. Simultaneously, there were increments in serum uric acid (UA), leptin, prolactin (PRL), and estradiol levels, while serum

progesterone level decreased. Furthermore, patients treated with metformin–placebo showed less improvement in the studied parameters

compared to that produced due to the inclusion of melatonin in the treatment protocol.

Conclusion: Melatonin improves the effects of metformin on several components of metabolic syndrome such as FSG, lipid profile, and BMI, in

addition to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, compared to metformin alone. Pharmacological doses of melatonin may produce additive

effect to metformin when utilized for long-term use in patients with MBS with possibility of reducing the dose of metformin to eliminate side

effects.

Author(s):

Sattar Jabir Abood Al-Jubouri

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