The hypothermic effect of late evening melatonin does not block the phase delay induced by concurrent bright light in human subjects
Abstract
This constant routine study (n = 9 men) compared the phase delay of the circadian system induced by a single pulse of evening light (5000 lx at 2100-2400 h) in the presence or absence of exogenous melatonin (5 mg p.o. at 2040 h). On the treatment day, light and melatonin protracted and accelerated, respectively, the evening decline in core body temperature (CBT). Subjective sleepiness ratings showed parallel shifts, the earlier the decline in CBT, the sleepier. On the post-treatment day, light induced a phase delay in the mid-range crossing time of CBT decline independent of whether melatonin was co-administered or not. Subjective sleepiness was delayed in parallel. The phase delay of the circadian system by evening light appears to be independent of an immediate hyperthermic effect and is not mediated by melatonin.
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Thermoregulatory changes preceded by a melatonin rise are robust findings related to psychological cues of relaxation, not time-bound to the evening hours.
“These thermoregulatory changes preceded by a melatonin rise are robust findings related to psychological cues of relaxation (e.g., supine body posture) [53,54] not time-bound to the evening hours, as they are also reported preceding an afternoon nap [31,53,55].”
From Preliminary Results: The Impact of Smartphone Use and Short-Wavelength Light during the Evening on Circadian Rhythm, Sleep and Alertness (2021) · cites this paper as [55]
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“In contrast, exogenous MEL given during the day, when endogenous MEL levels are low, decreases CBT and alertness [7,13].”
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Cajochen, C., Münch, M., Kobialka, S., Kräuchi, K., Steiner, R., Oelhafen, P., Orgül, S., & Wirz-Justice, A. (2005) · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · doi:10.1210/jc.2004-0957 · Cited by 939 · see citing works
Self-citationRole of Melatonin in the Regulation of Human Circadian Rhythms and Sleep
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Self-citationFunctional link between distal vasodilation and sleep-onset latency?
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Self-citationHomeostatic versus Circadian Effects of Melatonin on Core Body Temperature in Humans
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“, supine body posture) [53,54] not time-bound to the evening hours, as they are also reported preceding an afternoon nap [31,53,55].”
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- Authors
- Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., Danilenko, K. V., & Wirz-Justice, A.
- Affiliations
- Universitäre Psychiatrische Kliniken Basel (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Kräuchi, Kurt
- Venue
- Neuroscience Letters
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1997-08
- Volume
- 232
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 57-61
- ISSN
- 0304-3940 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2032792445
- Cited by
- 54
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroscience Letters (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Keywords
- melatonin, circadian phase delay, evening light exposure, core body temperature, hypothermia, subjective sleepiness, light-induced phase shift, circadian rhythm
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Body Temperature Regulation, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Hypothermia, Lighting, Male, Melatonin, Sleep Stages
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