DISTURBANCE OF THE SECRETION OF MELATONIN IN METABOLIC SYNDROME
The purpose of this study was to examine circadian rhythm of secretion of melatonin metabolites in patients with metabolic syndrome, aged 20 to 45 years and to assess the relationship with clinical and hormonal disorders. 98 patients (51 % women and 49 % men, mean age of 35.6 ± 7.8 years) with metabolic syndrome have been included in the study. The melatonin sulfate concentration in urine has been determined in 8 points during the day every 3 hours. In the control group there were 42 patients (52.4 % of women and 47.6 % men, mean age of 35.6 ± 6.1 years) without metabolic syndrome components. The statistically significant decrease of level and rhythm in melatonin production as well as its night peak flattening have been revealed at metabolic syndrome. The inverse relationship between the melatonin sulfate levels in urine and components of the metabolic syndrome - the key marker of abdominal obesity (r = -0.87, p < 0.0001), body mass index (r = -0.67, p < 0.0001) and HOMA of insulin resistance (r = -0.51, p < 0.0001) have been observed. The lower melatonin sulfate values in urine were the greater the frequency and severity of metabolic syndrome components were.