Low serum melatonin levels are associated with erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Objective:Melatonin is a hormone secreted from the pineal gland and has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Oxidative stress is considered as an important factor in the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), and in many experimental models, positive results have been obtained with melatonin treatment. This study aimed to measure serum melatonin levels in ED patients and to investigate the possible relationship between ED and melatonin levels.Materials and Methods:Sixty-two patients diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe ED according to the five-item International Erectile Function Index (IIEF-5) and 22 healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum melatonin levels, anthropometric data, and other biochemical and hormonal parameters of all the subjects were recorded. Detailed anamnesis was also obtained in terms of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking status, and alcohol use.Results:The serum melatonin level was found 34.2±13.3 ng/dL in the mild ED group, 33.3±14.7 ng/dL in the moderate ED group, 34.8±17.2 ng/dL in the severe ED group, and 44.6±16.5 ng/dL in the control group. The serum melatonin levels were significantly lower in all ED groups compared to the control group (p=0.019). There was no significant difference in the serum melatonin levels between the three ED groups. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking and alcohol use were not significantly different between the ED groups (p>0.05).Conclusion:We consider that if our findings are supported by further studies with larger populations, the measurement of the serum melatonin level may have a future role in the diagnosis and treatment of ED.

Measuring morning melatonin levels with plasma melatonin ELISA kits is a poor choice on two levels

“…Five publications reported extraordinary melatonin levels in excess of 700 pg/ml using ELISA kits from AbCam ( n = 2), SunRed Bio ( n = 1), Fine Test ( n = 1), and MyBioSource ( n = 1) 4–8 . AbCam has recently discontinued their kit, #ab213978.…”

Hypothalamic–Pituitary Diseases and Erectile Dysfunction

“…Like other hormones regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (e.g., cortisol), T levels show a daily pattern, with the highest values reached in the early morning [15]. The circadian rhythm disruption observed in night-shift workers with sleep disorders is associated with low T levels and hypogonadal symptoms [16], supporting a potential relationship between sleep and sexual function, as further suggested by low serum melatonin levels observed in subjects with ED [17].…”

Melatonin receptor 1A gene polymorphism rs13140012 and serum melatonin in atherosclerotic versus non-atherosclerotic Egyptian ESRD patients: pilot study

“…In a study by Bozkart et al. [ 42 ], 62 patients diagnosed with varying degrees of erectile dysfunction (ED) and 22 healthy individuals were included. The serum melatonin levels were performed.…”

“…eNOS and nNOS proteins were decreased in chronic ischemic CC tissue; those levels improved after melatonin treatment. Melatonin's protective effects on chronic ischemic CC by is by scavenging free radicals and via anti-oxidative properties [ 42 ].…”