Melatonin Levels and the Relation to Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

Melatonin Levels and Obesity

Background: Melatonin is a neurohormone that regulates the circadian rhythm by translating photoperiodic information from the eyes to the brain.

Working hypothesis and aims: There is a possible link between circadian rhythm regulation and glucose homeostasis through melatonin pathways. We aim to examine the relation between melatonin levels and degree of obesity , in children and adolescents in different pubertal stages.

Methods: The study group will include 24 children and adolescents in various stages of pubertal development. Participants will be categorized into 3 groups: 1) normal-weight, 2) obese subjects with metabolic syndrome, 3) obese without metabolic syndrome. Melatonin levels will be measured using saliva during the night.

Expected results: We expect to find a relation between melatonin levels to the metrics of metabolic syndrome, sleep duration, number of television viewing hours and sense of depression.

Importance: Childhood obesity is recognized as a major medical and public health problem and is strongly associated with many serious medical complications including the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It is important to understand mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and hyperinsulinemia.

Probable implications to Medicine: Foreseeing a connection between melatonin levels and the degree of obesity and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, we would recommend addressing duration of sleep while treating obesity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Metabolic Syndrome Obesity

Detailed Description

Background: Melatonin is a neurohormone that regulates the circadian rhythm by translating photoperiodic information from the eyes to the brain. MTNR1B , is one of melatonin receptors which is expressed in the retina, in the brain and in pancreatic tissue. In Genome Wide Association studies a SNP in the intronic variant in MTNR1B was found to be to in association with elevated fasting plasma glucose and with increased risk of T2DM among lean and obese adults and children.

Working hypothesis and aims: There is a possible link between circadian rhythm regulation and glucose homeostasis through melatonin pathways. We aim to examine the relation between melatonin levels and degree of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, in children and adolescents in different pubertal stages.

Methods: The study group will include twenty-four children and adolescents in various stages of pubertal development. Participants will be categorized into three groups: 1) normal-weight, 2) obese subjects with metabolic syndrome, 3) obese without metabolic syndrome. Melatonin levels will be measured using saliva during the night. Each child will be measured for height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. Fasting insulin, glucose and lipid profile will be taken. Each child will fill out questionnaires about depression, sleep quality and television usage.

Expected results: We expect to find a relation between melatonin levels to the metrics of metabolic syndrome, sleep duration, number of television viewing hours and sense of depression. We expect to find lower levels of melatonin in the group of obese children with metabolic syndrome during night time. We expect that children with lower levels of melatonin should report on fewer hours of sleep, more hours of watching television and feeling more depressed.

Importance: Childhood obesity is recognized as a major medical and public health problem and is strongly associated with many serious medical complications including the metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It is important to understand mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and hyperinsulinemia.

Probable implications to Medicine: Foreseeing a connection between melatonin levels and the degree of obesity and metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents, we would recommend addressing duration of sleep while treating obesity.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 12 years to 18 years (Child, Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

children and adolescents with obesity and normal weight

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• obese children
• normal weight children

Exclusion Criteria:

• genetic diseases
• medication that may affect melatonin secretion
• sleep inducing medication

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Control
• Time Perspectives: Prospective

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
obese children; Children and adolescents with BMI according to the CDC greater that 95%ile
normal weight; Children and adolescents with BMI according to the CDC less than the 85%ile
obese with the MetS; obese children with metabolic syndrome compared to obese children with out the MetS and normal weight children

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Melatonin levels	Melatonin levels in the saliva during the evening and night	8 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Sheba Medical Center

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): June 29, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 30, 2013
• Study Completion (Actual): May 30, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 18, 2017
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 18, 2017
• First Posted (Actual): October 23, 2017

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 23, 2017
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 18, 2017
• Last Verified: October 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Disease; Overnutrition; Nutrition Disorders; Overweight; Body Weight; Insulin Resistance; Hyperinsulinism; Syndrome; Obesity; Metabolic Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: SHEBA-09-7461-OH-CTIL