Does melatonin cause constipation

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Does Melatonin Cause Constipation?

Introduction to Melatonin and Gut Health

Melatonin, a hormone primarily known for regulating sleep-wake cycles, also plays a significant role in gastrointestinal function. It is produced in large quantities in the gastrointestinal tract and has been studied for its effects on gut motility and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) . This article explores whether melatonin can cause constipation, drawing on recent research findings.

Melatonin and Constipation in IBS Patients

Effects on IBS with Constipation (IBS-C)

Research indicates that melatonin can have beneficial effects on patients with IBS, particularly those with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). A study involving postmenopausal women with IBS-C showed that melatonin treatment significantly reduced the intensity of visceral pain and abdominal bloating in 70% of patients and alleviated constipation in 50% of patients over six months . This suggests that melatonin may help relieve constipation rather than cause it in IBS-C patients.

Urinary Melatonin Metabolite Levels

Another study measured the urinary excretion of 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, a primary melatonin metabolite, in IBS patients. It found that melatonin levels were lower in both constipation-predominant and diarrhea-predominant IBS patients compared to healthy controls . This lower melatonin level in IBS patients suggests a potential link between melatonin deficiency and IBS symptoms, including constipation.

Age-Related Changes in Melatonin and Colonic Motility

Decreased Melatonin Release with Age

Age-related changes in melatonin release have been observed in the murine distal colon. As animals age, both basal and mechanically stimulated melatonin release decrease, leading to reduced colonic motility . This decline in melatonin release may contribute to age-related constipation, indicating that melatonin supplementation could potentially improve colonic motility in older individuals.

Exogenous Melatonin and Colonic Transit Time

A study on the effects of exogenous melatonin on colonic transit time (CTT) in healthy subjects and IBS patients found that melatonin treatment increased CTT in healthy controls but did not significantly change CTT in IBS patients . This suggests that while melatonin may slow colonic transit in healthy individuals, it does not exacerbate constipation in IBS patients.

Conclusion

Current research does not support the notion that melatonin causes constipation. Instead, melatonin appears to have a beneficial effect on gut motility, particularly in individuals with IBS-C and age-related constipation. Melatonin supplementation may help alleviate constipation symptoms rather than cause them, making it a potential therapeutic option for improving bowel motility in specific populations.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Influence of melatonin on symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Melatonin can effectively reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in postmenopausal women, particularly in those with constipation-predominant IBS.

RCT

2013·

45citations

·C. Chojnacki et al.

Is melatonin involved in the irritable bowel syndrome?

Different melatonin secretion and metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome, with higher levels in women with constipation-related IBS compared to men.

Observational Study

2009·

34citations

·P. Radwan et al.

Age-related changes in melatonin release in the murine distal colon.

Age-related decline in melatonin release in the colon may explain decreased colonic motility and offer a potential therapeutic treatment for age-related constipation.

Non-RCTAnimal Study

2013·

39citations

·L. Diss et al.

The Effects of Melatonin on Colonic Transit Time in Normal Controls and IBS Patients

Melatonin may be a promising candidate for modulating bowel motility in healthy subjects and irritable bowel syndrome patients, but its effects on colonic transit time in IBS patients remain unclear.

RCT

2009·

56citations

·Weizhen Lu et al.

The inhibitory effect of melatonin on colonic motility disorders induced by water avoidance stress in rats.

Melatonin can inhibit colonic motility disorders induced by water avoidance stress in rats by inactivating the 5-HT pathway and potentially inhibiting calcium channel influx.

RCTAnimal Study

2013·

12citations

·W. Tan et al.

Melatonin's role as a co‐adjuvant treatment in colonic diseases: A review

Melatonin shows potential benefits as a co-adjuvant treatment for gastrointestinal diseases, such as IBS, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and necrotizing enterocolitis, by accelerating intestinal transit time and enhancing antioxidant defense.

Highly Cited

2017·

72citations

·E. Esteban-Zubero et al.

Efficiency of synthetic melatonin in comprehensive therapy of patients with a combination of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, arterial hypertension and obesity

Synthetic melatonin combined with standard therapy effectively reduces blood pressure, improves heart rate variability, and increases bowel movement frequency in patients with obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, and arterial hypertension.

Non-RCT

2019·

1citation

·V. Mishchuk et al.

Influence of tianeptine on melatonin homeostasis and psychosomatic symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Tianaeptine does not impair melatonin homeostasis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, reduces IBS symptoms, and improves their quality of life.

RCT

2013·

9citations

·C. Chojnacki et al.

Melatonin improves abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome patients who have sleep disturbances: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study

Melatonin effectively reduces abdominal pain and increases rectal pain threshold in irritable bowel syndrome patients with sleep disturbances, without affecting sleep disturbances or psychological distress.

RCTRigorous JournalHighly Cited

2005·

187citations

·G. Song et al.

Melatonin, a potential therapeutic agent for smooth muscle-related pathological conditions and aging.

Melatonin shows potential as a therapeutic agent for smooth muscle-related conditions and aging, reducing vascular tone, improving gastrointestinal transit, and restoring bladder function in old animals.

2010·

48citations

·M. Pozo et al.

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