Influence of Melatonin on Cardiovascular and Skin Temperature Responses to Stress: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Baylor University
Summary
This study aims to evaluate the influence of acute oral melatonin supplementation on cardiovascular and skin temperature responses to mental stress. The hypothesis is that acute melatonin will lead to reduced cardiovascular and skin temperature responsiveness to acute mental stress.
Description
This study will utilize a randomized, crossover, placebo controlled experimental approach to determine the effects of acute oral melatonin supplementation (3mg) on blood pressure, heart rate, and regionalized skin temperature responsiveness to mental stress. The study will assess beat-by-beat blood pressure (finger plethysmography), continuous heart rate (electrocardiogram), and proximal/distal skin temperature continuously at rest and in response to the Trier Social Stress Test following either afternoon melatonin or placebo ingestion in a randomized order. Participants will consist of young…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Must be between the ages of 18-70 years old. * All subjects will be required to abstain from exercise and caffeine for 12 h, and alcohol for 24 h prior to the experiment. * BMI must be \<30 kg/m2. * Menstruating women will initially be tested during their early follicular phase (2-5 days after initiating menstruation) or during low hormone phase (2-5 days after initiating menstruation) if on oral contraceptives to control for potential impact of sex steroids. Post-menopausal females (\>5 years) will also be included. Females must have an intact uterus and at least one ov…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementMelatonin 3 MG Oral Tablet
Participants will ingest an acute 3mg oral melatonin tablet
- Dietary SupplementPlacebo Oral Tablet
Participants will ingest a placebo tablet (sugar pill) of the same size, shape, and color of the active melatonin supplement
Location
- Baylor University Autonomic Function LaboratoryWaco, Texas