A study published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine suggests that melatonin supplementation may enhance oxidative DNA repair in night shift workers, potentially reducing long-term health risks.
Researchers from British Columbia, led by Umaima Zanif, conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 40 night shift workers. Participants took melatonin supplements for four weeks before their daytime sleep following a night shift. The primary biomarker assessed was urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), adjusted for creatinine levels, which indicates oxidative DNA damage.
The findings showed a 1.8-fold increase in 8-OH-dG excretion during daytime sleep, suggesting enhanced DNA repair. However, the statistical significance was borderline, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.0 to 3.2 and a P-value of 0.06. No significant changes were observed in oxidative stress markers during subsequent night shifts.
“Evaluating long-term efficacy is crucial because those who work night shifts for many years need to take melatonin supplements consistently over this time to maximise the potential cancer prevention benefits,” the study authors emphasize. This underscores the need for further research on sustained melatonin use.
Night shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, reducing natural melatonin production. Known as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin regulates sleep-wake cycles and has antioxidant properties. Supplementing melatonin may help counteract its deficiency, potentially mitigating health risks linked to night work.
The study highlights the potential of melatonin as a preventive measure against oxidative stress-related diseases in night shift workers. However, further research is required to confirm long-term benefits and determine optimal dosage. While promising, these findings should be interpreted with caution until larger-scale studies provide more definitive conclusions.
