Zhdanova I V, Wurtman R J, Lynch H J, Ives J R, Dollins A B, Morabito C, Matheson J K, Schomer D L
Clinical Research Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02142, USA.
Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1995 May;57(5):552-8. doi: 10.1016/0009-9236(95)90040-3.
We previously observed tht low oral doses of melatonin given at noon increase blood melatonin concentrations to those normally occurring nocturnally and facilitate sleep onset, as assessed using and involuntary muscle relaxation test. In this study we examined the induction of polysomnographically recorded sleep by similar doses given later in the evening, close to the times of endogenous melatonin release and habitual sleep onset. Volunteers received the hormone (oral doses of 0.3 or 1.0 mg) or placebo at 6, 8, or 9 PM. Latencies to sleep onset, to stage 2 sleep, and to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were measured polysomnographically. Either dose given at any of the three time points decreased sleep onset latency and latency to stage 2 sleep. Melatonin did not suppress REM sleep or delay its onset. Most volunteers could clearly distinguish between the effects of melatonin and those of placebo when the hormone was tested at 6 or 8 PM. Neither melatonin dose induced "hangover" effects, as assessed with mood and performance tests administered on the morning after treatment. These data provide new evidence that nocturnal melatonin secretion may be involved in physiologic sleep onset and that exogenous melatonin may be useful in treating insomnia.
我们之前观察到，中午口服低剂量褪黑素可使血液中褪黑素浓度升至夜间正常水平，并促进入睡，这是通过一项不自主肌肉松弛试验评估得出的。在本研究中，我们检验了在傍晚较晚时候给予类似剂量的褪黑素（接近内源性褪黑素释放时间和习惯性入睡时间）对多导睡眠图记录的睡眠的诱导作用。志愿者于晚上6点、8点或9点接受激素（口服剂量为0.3毫克或1.0毫克）或安慰剂。通过多导睡眠图测量入睡潜伏期、进入2期睡眠的潜伏期以及快速眼动（REM）睡眠潜伏期。在这三个时间点中的任何一个给予的任一剂量均缩短了入睡潜伏期和进入2期睡眠的潜伏期。褪黑素并未抑制REM睡眠或延迟其发作。当在晚上6点或8点对激素进行测试时，大多数志愿者能够清楚地区分褪黑素和安慰剂的效果。治疗后次日早晨通过情绪和性能测试评估发现，两种褪黑素剂量均未诱发“宿醉”效应。这些数据提供了新的证据，表明夜间褪黑素分泌可能参与生理性入睡过程，并且外源性褪黑素可能对治疗失眠有用。
