Melatonin supplements linked to improved DNA repair in night workers
Research indicates that melatonin supplementation may support DNA repair in people working night shifts, potentially reducing cancer risk.
Working night shifts is associated with circadian rhythm disruptions, which can lead to DNA damage. Melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and wake cycles, may help repair this damage. A study published in "Occupational & Environmental Medicine" suggests that melatonin supplementation enhances the body's ability to repair DNA.
Melatonin is naturally produced in darkness, but night work disrupts its synthesis. This not only leads to sleep problems but also weakens the ability to repair oxidative DNA damage, which increases cancer risk. Scientists decided to investigate whether melatonin supplementation can assist this process.
The study involved 40 people working night shifts. For four weeks, half took 3 mg of melatonin before sleep, while the other half received a placebo. Participants wore activity trackers, and their urine was tested for the level of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), a marker of DNA repair.
The study results are promising
Participants taking melatonin had 80% higher concentrations of 8-OH-dG during the day than the placebo group, which indicates better DNA repair. However, no differences were observed during night shifts. The study's authors emphasise that these results could form the basis for further large-scale research.
The increased level of oxidative DNA damage, caused by a reduced ability to repair it, is a mechanism that may contribute to the cancer-causing effects of night shift work. Our study suggests, however, that melatonin supplementation may improve the efficiency of repairing such damage — the authors of the publication state.
Scientists suggest that night workers may be recommended to supplement melatonin to reduce their cancer risk. However, they emphasise that further research is necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of melatonin use. The study had limitations, such as a small number of participants and their occupational similarity, which requires repetition on a larger scale.
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