Melatonin Other names: N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine Pineal Hormone

The activity of melatonin at the MT₁, MT₂ and MT₃ receptors is believed to contribute to its sleep-promoting properties, as these receptors (mainly MT₁ and MT₂) are involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and sleep regulation.

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland and is structurally related to serotonin. Physiologically, melatonin secretion increases soon after the onset of darkness, peaks at 2-4 am and diminishes during the second half of the night. Melatonin is associated with the control of circadian rhythms and entrainment to the light-dark cycle. It is also associated with a hypnotic effect and increased propensity for sleep.

Rationale for use

Because of the role of melatonin in sleep and circadian rhythm regulation, and the age related decrease in endogenous melatonin production, melatonin may effectively improve sleep quality particularly in patients who are over 55 with primary insomnia.

Absorption

The absorption of orally ingested melatonin is complete in adults and may be decreased by up to 50% in the elderly. The kinetics of melatonin are linear over the range of 2-8 mg. Bioavailability is in the order of 15%. There is a significant first pass effect with an estimated first pass metabolism of 85%. T_max occurs after 3 hours in a fed state. The rate of melatonin absorption and C_max following 2 mg oral administration is affected by food. The presence of food delayed the absorption of the melatonin resulting in a later (T_max =3.0 h versus T_max =0.75 h) and lower peak plasma concentration in the fed state (C_max =1020pg/ml versus C_max =1176 pg/ml).

Distribution

The in vitro plasma protein binding of melatonin is approximately 60%. Melatonin is mainly bound to albumin, alpha1-acid glycoprotein and high density lipoprotein.

Biotransformation

Experimental data suggest that isoenzymes CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and possibly CYP2C19 of the cytochrome P450 system are involved in melatonin metabolism. The principal metabolite is 6-sulphatoxy-melatonin (6-S-MT), which is inactive. The site of biotransformation is the liver. The excretion of the metabolite is completed within 12 hours after ingestion.

Elimination

Terminal half life (t_1⁄2) is 3.5-4 hours. Elimination is by renal excretion of metabolites, 89% as sulphated and glucoronide conjugates of 6-hydroxymelatonin and 2% is excreted as melatonin (unchanged active substance).

Gender

A 3-4-fold increase in C_max is apparent for women compared to men. A five-fold variability in C_max between different members of the same sex has also been observed. However, no pharmacodynamic differences between males and females were found despite differences in blood levels.

Special populations

Older People

Melatonin metabolism is known to decline with age. Across a range of doses, higher AUC and C_max levels have been reported in older patients compared to younger patients, reflecting the lower metabolism of melatonin in the elderly. C_max levels around 500 pg/ml in adults (18-45) versus 1200 pg/ml in elderly (55-69); AUC levels around 3,000 pg*h/mL in adults versus 5,000 pg*h/mL in the elderly.

Renal impairment

Company data indicates that there is no accumulation of melatonin after repeated dosing. This finding is compatible with the short half-life of melatonin in humans.

The levels assessed in the blood of the patients at 23:00 (2 hours after administration) following 1 and 3 weeks of daily administration were 411.4 ± 56.5 and 432.00 ± 83.2 pg/ml respectively, and are similar to those found in in healthy volunteers following a single dose of 2 mg.

Hepatic impairment

The liver is the primary site of melatonin metabolism and therefore, hepatic impairment results in higher endogenous melatonin levels. Plasma melatonin levels in patients with cirrhosis were significantly increased during daylight hours. Patients had a significantly decreased total excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin compared with controls.

Non-clinical data revealed no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity, carcinogenic potential, toxicity to reproduction and development.

Effects in non-clinical studies were observed only at exposures considered sufficiently in excess of the maximum human exposure indicating little relevance to clinical use.

The carcinogenicity study in the rat did not reveal any effect which may be relevant for humans.

In reproductive toxicology, oral administration of melatonin in pregnant female mice, rats or rabbits did not result in adverse effects on their offspring, measured in terms of foetal viability, skeletal and visceral abnormalities, sex ratio, birthweight and subsequent physical, functional and sexual development. A slight effect on post-natal growth and viability was found in rats only at very high doses, equivalent to approximately 2000 mg/day in humans.