open access

Vol 64, No 2 (2013)
Original paper
Submitted: 2013-05-14
Published online: 2013-04-30
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Influence of melatonin on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in postmenopausal women

Cezary Chojnacki, Ewa Walecka-Kapica, Katarzyna Łokieć, Monika Pawłowicz, Katarzyna Winczyk, Jan Chojnacki, Grażyna Klupińska
Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(2):114-120.

open access

Vol 64, No 2 (2013)
Original Paper
Submitted: 2013-05-14
Published online: 2013-04-30

Abstract


Introduction: Melatonin (MEL) exerts beneficial effects on the gut partly by myorelaxative properties upon the smooth muscle. Its secretion decreases with age, particularly in postmenopausal women. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of MEL on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in this group of patients.
Material and methods: The investigations were carried out in 80 postmenopausal women, aged 48–65 years, divided into two equal groups, diagnosed according to Rome Criteria III: i.e. patients with IBS with constipation predominant (IBS-C), and patients with IBS with diarrhoea predominant (IBS-D). The control group (C) included healthy women aged 46-65 years. In all subjects, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-HMS) concentration urine was measured using ELISA assay. Patients in both groups over the course of six months were given melatonin (at a dose of 3 mg fasting and 5 mg at bedtime) or a placebo (double blind trial). Disease activity was evaluated after two, four and six months, using a ten-point scale to assess the main somatic symptoms: visceral pain, abdominal bloating, etc.
Results: The amounts of 6-HMS urine excretion (μg/24 h) were: C 11.4 ± 3.0, IBS-C 10.2 ± 3.2, IBS-D 14.0 ± 6.3 (p < 0.05). Correlation between values of symptoms score and contrary excretion of 6-HMS: IBS-C r = –0.714, IBS-D r = 0.409. After six months in the IBS-C group, the intensity of visceral pain and abdominal bloating had decreased in 70% of patients (p < 0.01) and constipation in 50% of patients (p < 0.05). Beneficial changes in the IBS-D group were noted in 45% of patients, but this was not better compared to the placebo.
Conclusions: Melatonin can be used as part of the treatment of IBS, particularly in patients with constipation-predominant IBS. (Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (2): 114–120)

Abstract


Introduction: Melatonin (MEL) exerts beneficial effects on the gut partly by myorelaxative properties upon the smooth muscle. Its secretion decreases with age, particularly in postmenopausal women. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of MEL on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in this group of patients.
Material and methods: The investigations were carried out in 80 postmenopausal women, aged 48–65 years, divided into two equal groups, diagnosed according to Rome Criteria III: i.e. patients with IBS with constipation predominant (IBS-C), and patients with IBS with diarrhoea predominant (IBS-D). The control group (C) included healthy women aged 46-65 years. In all subjects, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-HMS) concentration urine was measured using ELISA assay. Patients in both groups over the course of six months were given melatonin (at a dose of 3 mg fasting and 5 mg at bedtime) or a placebo (double blind trial). Disease activity was evaluated after two, four and six months, using a ten-point scale to assess the main somatic symptoms: visceral pain, abdominal bloating, etc.
Results: The amounts of 6-HMS urine excretion (μg/24 h) were: C 11.4 ± 3.0, IBS-C 10.2 ± 3.2, IBS-D 14.0 ± 6.3 (p < 0.05). Correlation between values of symptoms score and contrary excretion of 6-HMS: IBS-C r = –0.714, IBS-D r = 0.409. After six months in the IBS-C group, the intensity of visceral pain and abdominal bloating had decreased in 70% of patients (p < 0.01) and constipation in 50% of patients (p < 0.05). Beneficial changes in the IBS-D group were noted in 45% of patients, but this was not better compared to the placebo.
Conclusions: Melatonin can be used as part of the treatment of IBS, particularly in patients with constipation-predominant IBS. (Endokrynol Pol 2013; 64 (2): 114–120)
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Keywords

menopause; irritable bowel syndrome; melatonin; 6-sulfatoxymelatonin

About this article
Title

Influence of melatonin on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in postmenopausal women

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 64, No 2 (2013)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

114-120

Published online

2013-04-30

Page views

1252

Article views/downloads

3617

Bibliographic record

Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(2):114-120.

Keywords

menopause
irritable bowel syndrome
melatonin
6-sulfatoxymelatonin

Authors

Cezary Chojnacki
Ewa Walecka-Kapica
Katarzyna Łokieć
Monika Pawłowicz
Katarzyna Winczyk
Jan Chojnacki
Grażyna Klupińska

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