Melatonin stimulates growth hormone secretion through pathways other than the growth

[Dwight Schrute]

Melatonin stimulates growth hormone secretion through pathways other than the growth hormone-releasing hormone.

Valcavi R, Zini M, Maestroni GJ, Conti A, Portioli I.

2a Divisione di Medicina Interna, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

OBJECTIVE: There is evidence that melatonin plays a role in the regulation of GH secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroendocrine mechanisms by which melatonin modulates GH secretion. Thus we assessed the effect of oral melatonin on the GH responses to GHRH administration and compared the effects of melatonin with those of pyridostigmine, a cholinergic agonist drug which is likely to suppress hypothalamic somatostatin release. DESIGN: The study consisted of four protocols carried out during the afternoon hours. Study 1: oral melatonin (10 mg) or placebo were administered 60 minutes prior to GHRH (100 micrograms i.v. bolus). Study 2: GHRH (100 micrograms i.v. bolus) or placebo were administered at 0 minutes; oral melatonin or placebo were given at 60 minutes and were followed by a second GHRH stimulus (100 micrograms i.v. bolus) at 120 minutes. Study 3: placebo; oral melatonin (10 mg); oral pyridostigmine (120 mg); melatonin (10 mg) plus pyridostigmine (120 mg) were administered on separate occasions. Study 4: placebo; oral melatonin (10 mg); oral pyridostigmine (120 mg); melatonin (10 mg) plus pyridostigmine (120 mg) were administered on separate occasions 60 minutes prior to a submaximal dose (3 micrograms i.v. bolus) of GHRH. SUBJECTS: Four groups of eight normal male subjects, ages 22-35 years, were randomly assigned to each protocol. MEASUREMENTS: Growth hormone was measured by RIA at 15-minute intervals. RESULTS: Oral melatonin administration had a weak stimulatory effect on GH basal levels. Prior melatonin administration approximately doubled the GH release induced by supramaximal (100 micrograms) or submaximal (3 micrograms) doses of GHRH. Melatonin administration restored the GH response to a second GHRH challenge, given 120 minutes after a first GHRH i.v. bolus. The GH releasing effects of pyridostigmine, either alone or followed by GHRH, were greater than those of melatonin. However, the simultaneous administration of melatonin and pyridostigmine was not followed by any further enhancement of GH release, either in the absence or in the presence of exogenous GHRH. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that oral administration of melatonin to normal human males increases basal GH release and GH responsiveness to GHRH through the same pathways as pyridostigmine. Therefore it is likely that melatonin plays this facilitatory role at the hypothalamic level by inhibiting endogenous somatostatin release, although with a lower potency than pyridostigmine. The physiological role of melatonin in GH neuroregulation remains to be established.

[MaDmaN]

10mg a day,I would fall asleep at my desk.this is an interesting article I was taking 6mg a day but felt lethargic.I wonder if I should start taking it again?

[Dwight Schrute]

You take it before bed.

[Iron Warrior]

Wow, the subjects were 22-35 y/o males, pretty impressive. Melatonin is cheap as hell too. BTW, what can one expect out of boosted GH levels ? I always read posts saying that not much happens for muscle building, just good for fat burning.

[MaDmaN]

You take it before bed.

I was taking it before bed and still felt lethargic the next day
Plus I was feeling a little down in the dumps.I do not know if it was from the Melatonin but check my thread on

Melatonin & Depression

Maybe you could shed some light on this or maybe im just a nut bag.

Melatonin & Depression

[Dwight Schrute]

Anto-catabolic properties plus fat loss. Don't know how much this will help but melatonin is cheap as hell and also helps regulate circadian rythyms.

[Dwight Schrute]

I was taking it before bed and still felt lethargic the next day
Plus I was feeling a little down in the dumps.I do not know if it was from the Melatonin but check my thread on

Melatonin & Depression

Maybe you could shed some light on this or maybe im just a nut bag.

Melatonin & Depression

That stinks. There are so many factors that could contribute. Melatonin should HELP you feel more awake the enxt day (that is if you get enough sleep). Maybe your circadian rythyms are all screwed up!


j/k

[MaDmaN]

That stinks. There are so many factors that could contribute. Melatonin should HELP you feel more awake the enxt day (that is if you get enough sleep). Maybe your circadian rythyms are all screwed up!


j/k

LOL Thanks Bobo,you got to stop using those big words.I always new I had no rythym

[ManBeast]

Circadian rhythm is the "day/night sleep" rhythm, it's the one that gets fubar when you are jet lagged.

ManBeast

[Longdog]

I've been taking 9mg melatonin every night for a few years, I've even gone as high as 15mg when I can't get to sleep. I've never noticed any effects of increased GH, & I still have difficulty getting/staying below 10% bf.

It's good to know that it may be helping, but I don't think anyone will notice the effects.

[bioman]

Ooo a study. VPX or AnimalKits will have a methyl-melatonin injectable on the market before you can spit. lol

[jminis]

Ooo a study. VPX or AnimalKits will have a methyl-melatonin injectable on the market before you can spit. lol

Bawaaaawaa. So true bioman so true.
I've been taking melatonin for years so I wouldn't know if it did anything or not. It helps me sleep for sure though.

[Strateg0s]

Ooo a study. VPX or AnimalKits will have a methyl-melatonin injectable on the market before you can spit. lol

If you want some sad humor, check this.

[Chunky]

I did some research on this supp, that's why I bumped this old thread. I want to know if it is best to cycle melatonin, since it is a powerful hormone, like a steroid is and what would work best for a cycle if it applies.

[Rhyalus]

This stuff works great for my sleep at the standard 3mg, but I only take it once or twice per week.

I feel like it helps me for the next two days, as well.

What I am concerned about is becoming dependent on it. Can anyone who takes regular doses comment on being able to stop and still sleep somewhat normally?

Regards,
R

[jmh80]

I took 3 mg for a while, then stopped no problem.

[joecski]

I usually take 9mg a night, but take a few breaks (3-4) a year from all supps. When I stop, I do not have any ill effects from taking the melatonin. I started taking melatonin to help sleep, but I find my sleep has greatly improved in the past two years. I still take the melatonin though, maybe just out of habit at this point.

[Mr.50]

With you on this one bro. Same effects here. I was useless the next day.

I was taking it before bed and still felt lethargic the next day
Plus I was feeling a little down in the dumps.I do not know if it was from the Melatonin but check my thread on

Melatonin & Depression

Maybe you could shed some light on this or maybe im just a nut bag.

Melatonin & Depression

[John Smeton]

Ive heard melatonin is not good for anabolic hormones, over at bodybuilding dot com i dotn know how true this is. ive been taking it some recently. Its been a while since i read this and i dont have the source but somehting was said like it shuts you down, can cause libido problems.

[LakeMountD]

Wow 10mg??!?!! Damn I take 3mg and it puts me out. It is an interesting study in the fact that it inhibits somatostatin, however, it seems it doesn't have much of an impact. The study states that when melatonin is taken alone it has very little impact.

However, if one were to take GHRP-6, Hexarelin, or GHRH (GHRP-6 and GHRH work synergistically), it seems it would have a much more profound effect, which is definitely welcomed .

Either way I love the way melatonin helps me sleep.

Here is another (and there are MANY MANY others that prove this same thing) that shows the anti-oxident effects of melatonin.


Melatonin reduces lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide during irradiation-induced oxidative injury in the rat liver

Authors: Taysi S.1; Koc M.2; Büyükokurogbrevelu M.E.3; Altinodotnkaynak K.1; Scedilahin Y.N.1

Source: Journal of Pineal Research, Volume 34, Number 3, April 2003, pp. 173-177(5)
Abstract:
: Radiation therapy is a popular and useful tool in the treatment of cancer. Melatonin participates in the regulation of a number of important physiological and pathological processes. Melatonin, a powerful endogenous antioxidant, plays a role in the reduction of oxidative damage. Thirty adult rats were divided into five equal groups. On the day of the experiment, groups I and II were injected with 5 or 10 mg/kg melatonin, respectively, while group III received isotonic NaCl solution. Thirty minutes later, groups I, II and III were exposed to 6.0 Gy whole body ionizing radiation in a single fraction. Group IV was injected with 5 mg/kg melatonin but was not irradiated. The final group was reserved as sham treated. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in all groups. Whole body irradiation caused a significant increase in liver MDA and NO levels. Hepatic MDA and NO levels in irradiated rats that were pretreated with melatonin (5 or 10 mg/kg) were significantly decreased. Malondialdehyde and NO levels were reduced in a dose-related manner by melatonin. The data show that melatonin reduces liver damage inflicted by irradiation when given prior to the exposure to ionizing radiation. The radioprotective effect of melatonin is likely achieved by its ability to function as a scavenger for free radicals generated by ionizing radiation.