Sleep Regulator Melatonin Lowers Blood Pressure
Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics by ruth on February 03, 2006
This entry is submitted by Gloria
Gamat, via Creative Reporter.The naturally occurring hormone, Melatonin, which can be taken orally to regulate sleep patterns, lowers blood pressure in women as claimed by Italian researchers in the new study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension (Vol. 18, pp. 1614-1618):Although the study was limited to 18 middle-aged women, half of whom had hypertension, the results strongly indicate that prolonged intake of melatonin could improve the day-night BP rhythm.
"A 10 per cent decline of BP over daytime values is considered appropriate to reduce the cardiovascular risk," said lead-author Angelo Cagnacci. "During placebo use only 39 per cent of the subjects reached this value, but this rate surged to 84 per cent during melatonin administration."
The mechanism whereby melatonin reduces BP is still unknown, but the researchers propose it is not merely due to the sleep-inducing effect of the hormone. In this study, the interactions with other antihypertensive therapies were excluded but should certainly be investigated.
"Longer clinical trials are necessary for a full exploration of the potential effects of melatonin," concluded Cagnacci.
About Gloria Gamat: Gloria is a proud single-mom to Raine (Rainier Brando: born 29 December 2002) and a Chemist. Gloria also blogs about motherhood at EMothersOnline and about life and travel in the Philippines at The Philippine Culture Blog and at Pinoy Travel Blog respectively.
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