Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption
Published on: July 30, 2016
Antioxidant Effect of Melatonin in Preterm Newborns
Lucia Marseglia1, Eloisa Gitto1, Elisa Laschi2
1Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Insights
Early melatonin administration in preterm infants significantly reduced oxidative stress markers, specifically lipid peroxidation, within the first 48 hours of life. This suggests melatonin supplementation may protect vulnerable newborns from free radical damage.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Preterm infants face significant risks from oxidative stress (OS)-related diseases due to increased free radical generation.
- Melatonin (MEL), a potent antioxidant, is found to be deficient in preterm neonates.
- Exogenous melatonin administration is a potential therapeutic strategy for neonatal conditions linked to OS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess plasma melatonin concentrations and oxidative stress biomarkers in preterm newborns following early melatonin supplementation.
- To evaluate the impact of early melatonin administration on key OS indicators in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study involving 36 preterm newborns.
- Participants received either oral melatonin (0.5 mg/kg/day) or placebo from day one of life.
- Plasma samples were collected at 24 and 48 hours to measure melatonin, non-protein-bound iron (NPBI), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and F2-isoprostanes (F2-Isopr).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma melatonin levels were observed in the melatonin group at 24 and 48 hours compared to placebo.
- No significant differences in NPBI or AOPP levels were found between the groups.
- A significant reduction in F2-isoprostanes, a marker of lipid peroxidation, was noted in the melatonin group at 48 hours.
Conclusions:
- Early melatonin administration in preterm newborns effectively reduces lipid peroxidation in the initial days of life.
- Melatonin supplementation shows promise as a protective intervention for high-risk preterm infants.
- Further research is warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential of melatonin in neonatal oxidative stress.
Introduction:
Preterm infants are at risk of free radical-mediated diseases from oxidative stress (OS) injury. Increased free radical generation has been demonstrated in preterm infants during the first seven days of life. Melatonin (MEL) is a powerful antioxidant and scavenger of free radicals. In preterm neonates, melatonin deficiency has been reported. Exogenous melatonin administration appears a promising strategy in the treatment of neonatal morbidities in which OS has a leading role.
Objective:
The aim was to evaluate plasma MEL concentrations and OS biomarkers in preterm newborns after early administration of melatonin.
Methods:
A prospective, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted from January 2019 to September 2020. Thirty-six preterm newborns were enrolled. Starting from the first day of life, 21 received a single dose of oral melatonin 0.5 mg/kg once a day, in the morning (MEL group); 15 newborns received an equivalent dose of placebo (placebo group). Samples of 0.2 mL of plasma were collected at 24 and 48 hours after MEL administration. Plasma concentrations of melatonin, non-protein-bound iron (NPBI), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and F2-isoprostanes (F2-Isopr) were measured. Babies were clinically followed until discharge.
Results:
At 24 and 48 hours after MEL administration, the MEL concentrations were significantly higher in the MEL group than in the placebo group (52759.30 ± 63529.09 vs. 28.57 ± 46.24 pg/mL and 279397.6 ± 516344.2 vs. 38.50 ± 44.01 pg/mL, respectively). NPBI and AOPP did not show any statistically significant differences between the groups both at 24 and 48 hours. At 48 hours, the mean blood concentrations of F2-Isopr were significantly lower in the MEL group than in the placebo group (36.48 ± 33.85 pg/mL vs.89.97 ± 52.01 pg/mL).
Conclusions:
Early melatonin administration in preterm newborns reduces lipid peroxidation in the first days of life showing a potential role to protect high-risk newborns. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with NCT04785183, Early Supplementation of Melatonin in Preterm Newborns: the Effects on Oxidative Stress.
More Related Videos
06:42A Simple and Efficient Method for In Vivo Cardiac-specific Gene Manipulation by Intramyocardial Injection in Mice
Published on: April 16, 2018
10:00Induction and Analysis of Oxidative Stress in Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Transfected Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Published on: December 11, 2020
