Effects of Melatonin Supplementation on Hormonal, Inflammatory, Genetic, and Oxidative Stress Parameters in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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Purpose: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin administration on clinical, hormonal, inflammatory and genetic parameters in women with PCOS. Methods: The present randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 56 patients with PCOS, aged 18-40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated to take either 5 mg melatonin supplements (n=28) or placebo (n=28) twice a day for 12 weeks. Results: Melatonin administration significantly reduced hirsutism (β -0.47; 95% CI, -0.86, -0.09; P=0.01), serum total testosterone (β -0.11 ng/mL; 95% CI, -0.21, -0.02; P=0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (β -0.61 mg/L; 95% CI, -0.95, -0.26; P=0.001) and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (β -0.25 µmol/L; 95% CI, -0.38, -0.11; P<0.001), and significantly increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (β 106.07 mmol/L; 95% CI, 62.87, 149.28; P<0.001) and total glutathione (GSH) (β 81.05 µmol/L; 95% CI, 36.08, 126.03; P=0.001) compared with the placebo. Moreover, melatonin supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P=0.03) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P=0.01) compared with the placebo. Conclusions: Overall, melatonin administration for 12 weeks to women with PCOS significantly reduced hirsutism, total testosterone, hs-CRP and MDA, while increased TAC and GSH levels. In addition, melatonin administration reduced gene expression of IL-1 and TNF-α.
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Jamilian et al. (2019) RCT found that 5 g melatonin twice daily for 12 weeks decreased hirsutism, total testosterone, hs-CRP, and MDA, and increased TAC and total GSH compared to placebo in women with PCOS.
“Jamilian et al. (2019) performed a randomized controlled trial involving 56 women with PCOS, revealing a decrease in hirsutism, total testosterone, hs-CRP, and MDA, alongside an increase in TAC and total GSH among participants administered 5 g of melatonin twice daily for 12 weeks, in contrast to the placebo group [186].”
From Nutritional and herbal interventions for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a comprehensive review of dietary approaches, macronutrient impact, and herbal medicine in management (2025) · cites this paper as [186]
The Discussion reports reductions in hirsutism, total testosterone, hs-CRP, and MDA and increases in TAC and GSH after 12 weeks; the Results define GSH as total glutathione. But Materials and Methods (Supplementation) specifies 2 × 5 mg/day in 28 women per group, not 5 g twice daily. The outcome and participant claims are supported, but the dose is wrong by a factor of 1,000. (LLM, conf=0.94)
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- Authors
- Jamilian, M., Foroozanfard, F., Mirhosseini, N., Kavossian, E., Aghadavod, E., Bahmani, F., Ostadmohammadi, V., Kia, M., Eftekhar, T., Ayati, E., Mahdavinia, M., & Asemi, Z.
- Affiliations
- Arak University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- Kashan University of Medical Sciences (IR)
- University of Saskatchewan (CA)
- Islamic Azad University of Gorgan (IR)
- University of Tehran (IR)
- Razi Hospital (IR)
- Corresponding author
- Eftekhar, Tahereh
- Asemi, Zatollah
- ORCID
- Venue
- Frontiers in Endocrinology
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2019-05-14
- Volume
- 10
- Pages
- 273-273
- ISSN
- 1664-2392 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6527800
- OpenAlex
- W2946176610
- Cited by
- 91
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 9.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Frontiers in Endocrinology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Keywords
- melatonin supplementation, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, testosterone, C-reactive protein, oxidative stress, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, interleukin-1, TNF-α, inflammation, gene expression
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