open access
Serotonin and melatonin secretion in postmenopausal women with eating disorders
open access
Abstract
Introduction: Postmenopausal women manifest emotional disorders associated with an increase in appetite. The aim of the study was to assess the serotonin and melatonin secretion and metabolism in postmenopausal women in relation to eating disorders.
Material and methods: Sixty postmenopausal women and 30 women without hormonal disturbances were enrolled into the study and divided into three groups: group I (control) – women without menstrual disorders, group II — postmenopausal women without appetite disorders and change in body weight, and group III — postmenopausal women with increased appetite and weight gain. Serum melatonin, serotonin, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion were measured.
Results: Serum serotonin and melatonin levels in groups II and III were lower compared to group I. Urinary 5-HIAA and aMT6s excretion was lower in overweight women. In group III the correlation between the serum level of serotonin, melatonin, and BMI was negative; a high statistical significance was found between BMI and urinary aMT6s excretion.
Conclusions: Melatonin supplementation and use of drugs modulating the serotonin homeostasis together with female hormones have a beneficial effect in complex treatment of disorders of eating in postmenopausal women. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 299–304)
Abstract
Introduction: Postmenopausal women manifest emotional disorders associated with an increase in appetite. The aim of the study was to assess the serotonin and melatonin secretion and metabolism in postmenopausal women in relation to eating disorders.
Material and methods: Sixty postmenopausal women and 30 women without hormonal disturbances were enrolled into the study and divided into three groups: group I (control) – women without menstrual disorders, group II — postmenopausal women without appetite disorders and change in body weight, and group III — postmenopausal women with increased appetite and weight gain. Serum melatonin, serotonin, urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion were measured.
Results: Serum serotonin and melatonin levels in groups II and III were lower compared to group I. Urinary 5-HIAA and aMT6s excretion was lower in overweight women. In group III the correlation between the serum level of serotonin, melatonin, and BMI was negative; a high statistical significance was found between BMI and urinary aMT6s excretion.
Conclusions: Melatonin supplementation and use of drugs modulating the serotonin homeostasis together with female hormones have a beneficial effect in complex treatment of disorders of eating in postmenopausal women. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (3): 299–304)
Keywords
serotonin; melatonin; postmenopausal women; disorders of eating


Title
Serotonin and melatonin secretion in postmenopausal women with eating disorders
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
299-304
Published online
2016-06-30
Page views
2267
Article views/downloads
2634
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2016;67(3):299-304.
Keywords
serotonin
melatonin
postmenopausal women
disorders of eating
Authors
Cezary Chojnacki
Ewa Walecka-Kapica
Aleksandra Błońska
Katarzyna Winczyk
Agnieszka Stępień
Jan Chojnacki