Scientists talked about the effect of melatonin on DNA repair in night workers
A clinical study has shown that taking melatonin can help night workers repair DNA damage more effectively. In those who took the hormone, the level of the repair marker during daytime sleep was 80% higher than in the participants of the placebo group. This was reported on May 30 in the journal Science Daily.
"Increased oxidative DNA damage due to reduced reparative capacity is a convincing mechanism that can explain the carcinogenicity of night shifts. Our randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that taking melatonin can improve the repair of oxidative DNA damage in night workers," the paper says.
The study involved 40 night workers. Half of them took 3 mg of melatonin daily about an hour before bedtime after the night shift, the other half took a placebo. All participants worked at least two night shifts per week lasting seven hours or more for at least six months and did not suffer from sleep disorders or chronic diseases.
As the main marker, the scientists measured the level of the compound 8-OHdG in urine, reflecting the activity of repair of oxidative DNA damage. In the melatonin group, this indicator was 80% higher during daytime sleep than in the participants of the placebo group. At the same time, there was no significant difference between the groups during the night shift.
The authors acknowledge limitations: most of the participants worked in healthcare, it was not possible to take into account the effect of natural light on melatonin levels, and the effect itself was measured only by a biomarker, without evaluating cancer outcomes. Large-scale studies with different dosages and long-term follow-up are needed for broad conclusions.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies night shift work as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Night work disrupts circadian rhythms, inhibits melatonin production and, according to a number of studies, reduces the body's ability to repair DNA.
Elena Zubareva, a neurologist at the SM Clinic, warned on March 19 about the dangerous consequences that sleep deficiency can lead to. According to the doctor, prolonged lack of sleep leads to an imbalance in the functioning of all body systems, and above all, the nervous system suffers.
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