Effects of melatonin ingestion on cAMP and cGMP levels in human plasma

The effects of daytime melatonin treatment (0.3 mg) on cAMP and cGMP levels in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) were investigated in 14 normal human subjects (age+/-s.e.m. 26.2+/-3. 2 years). Plasma levels of cAMP, cGMP and melatonin were measured before and at intervals for 3 h after the treatment was administered at 1300 h. Plasma melatonin concentrations reached peak levels 1 h after the treatment (mean+/-s.d. 182.3+/-43.5 pg/ml). The mean areas under the curve (AUC) for the time-cGMP concentration curves in PPP and in PRP were significantly increased after melatonin treatment compared with those observed after placebo treatment (P=0.001). No significant difference in cGMP levels was observed between PPP and PRP. Increase in self-reported sleepiness after melatonin treatment positively correlated with increase in plasma cGMP levels (r=0.92). The mean AUC for the time-cAMP concentration in PRP, but not in PPP, was increased 1 h after melatonin treatment compared with that observed after placebo treatment, but not thereafter. No correlation between individual PRP or PPP cAMP levels and subjective sleepiness was observed. These results demonstrate a stimulating effect of melatonin treatment on plasma cGMP levels in humans and suggest a correlation between the increase in circulating cGMP levels and the sleep-promoting effect of the pineal hormone.