MOPS: Melatonin Osteoporosis Prevention Study

Sponsor
Duquesne University (Other)
Overall Status
Completed
CT.gov ID
NCT01152580
Collaborator
(none)
19
1
2
21.9
0.9

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal disorders. Today in the United States, 10 million individuals have osteoporosis and 34 million more have low bone mass or osteopenia, which places them at an increased risk of some day developing osteoporosis. Of the people affected by this problem, 68% are women.The current thinking on the development of osteoporosis is that the changes in bone turnover that occur with aging play a major factor. Many modalities of treatment are used to prevent the bone loss and increased fracture risk associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia. Melatonin supplementation may be another treatment modality that lowers risk of hip fracture in perimenopausal women. Melatonin can remodel bone in animal models and in culture. Melatonin works through melatonin receptors to form osteoblasts from human mesenchymal stem cells and has been shown to inhibit osteoclast activity in rodents. Melatonin levels have been correlated with modulating bone markers; low nocturnal levels of melatonin correlate with in an increase in bone marker metabolism and osteoporosis. It is been shown that women who have worked night-shifts for greater than 20 years have increased risk for wrist and hip fractures. Night-shift workers have lower nocturnal melatonin levels than people who do not work the night-shift. The addition of exogenous melatonin suppresses bone marker metabolism. In human stem cells taken from bone marrow, melatonin increases the activity of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts. It is hypothesized that melatonin will improve bone health, menopausal quality of life and sleep compared to placebo in perimenopausal women. In particular, the investigators expect perimenopausal women taking melatonin to show an improvement in overall bone health as revealed by a reduction in bone marker turnover since bone resorption increases more so than bone absorption in this population compared to those women taking placebo. We also expect that perimenopausal women taking melatonin to have better control over their menopausal symptoms, better quality of life and less sleep disturbances when compared to their placebo controls since melatonin is known to modulate estrogen levels in the body and regulate sleep. The data from these studies may provide novel and alternative uses for melatonin; in particular its use for the prevention and/or treatment of osteoporosis.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Dietary Supplement: melatonin
  • Dietary Supplement: sugar pill
Phase 1

Detailed Description

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal disorders. Today in the United States, 10 million individuals have osteoporosis and 34 million more have low bone mass or osteopenia, which places them at an increased risk of some day developing osteoporosis. Of the people affected by this problem, 68% are women.[1] Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural disruption, such that fewer, thinner bony spicules are present leading to less structural support. These hallmark features of osteoporosis lead to increased skeletal fragility and an increased fracture risk.[2] Hip fracture specifically has been shown to be a major problem leading to increased morbidity and mortality.[3] In addition osteoporotic fractures are responsible for a large portion of health care spending. In 1995 $13.8 billion in health care expenditures were attributable to osteoporotic fractures.[4] Because the health of older adults often deteriorates after hip fracture, efforts to prevent fracture by treating and preventing osteoporosis are critical to reducing this common cause of morbidity, mortality and health service utilization.

The current thinking on the development of osteoporosis is that the changes in bone turnover that occur with aging play a major factor. One study which measured markers of bone formation, such as osteocalcin (OC), and markers of bone resorption, such as type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX), showed that rates of bone formation and resorption are high in elderly women. However, bone resorption increases more so than bone formation leading resorption to be the major determinant of bone mass.[5] These biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption may play an important role in monitoring therapy. In a recent review that examined clinical studies in which bone turnover markers were measured after beginning treatment with a bisphosphonate, the data showed that suppression of bone turnover markers occurred after as little as three months of therapy.[6,7] This suppression in bone turnover markers was also associated with reduction in risk for fracture.[6,7] Although dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis and osteopenia, recent reports are showing that DXA may not be the best method for measuring bone health. For example, bone fractures routinely occur despite modest bone mineral density levels and no significant reduction in the risk of fracture occurs in patients taking one of the two standard medications, one that significantly increases bone mineral density and the other that moderately increases it.[6] Thus, it is currently thought that bone quality may not be clinically assessed by measures other than the determination of bone metabolism with biochemical markers of bone turnover because these markers measure "living" bone cells.[6] Many modalities of treatment are used to prevent the bone loss and increased fracture risk associated with osteoporosis and osteopenia. One method involves use of calcium and vitamin D supplementation such that total calcium intake is approximately 1500 mg/day. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation may increase bone mineral density to a small extent, but not nearly to the same degree as is seen with other treatment modalities.[8] Therefore, it is often combined with another treatment method for better efficacy. Bisphosphonates are being used more and more often in postmenopausal women. These antiresorptive agents have been shown to prevent bone loss and reduce the incidence of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures.[9] Calcitonin has been shown to decrease vertebral fractures, increase bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and inhibit bone turnover.[10]

Melatonin supplementation may be another treatment modality that lowers risk of hip fracture in perimenopausal women. Melatonin can remodel bone in animal models and in culture.[11] Melatonin works through melatonin receptors to form osteoblasts from human mesenchymal stem cells[12] and has been shown to inhibit osteoclast activity in rodents.[13] Melatonin levels have been correlated with modulating bone markers whereby low nocturnal levels of melatonin correlate with in an increase in bone marker metabolism and osteoporosis.[14] The addition of exogenous melatonin suppresses bone marker metabolism.[15] Work from my laboratory reveals that application of melatonin to human bone stem cells grown in culture enhances alkaline phosphatase activity by 50% and calcium deposition by 10-fold.[16]

HYPOTHESIS AND SPECIFIC AIMS We hypothesize that melatonin will improve bone health, menopausal quality of life and sleep compared to placebo in perimenopausal women.

  1. Assess the feasibility of recruiting perimenopausal women willing to be enrolled in a randomized, trial of melatonin versus placebo

  2. Assess the effects of melatonin versus placebo on markers of bone health, quality of life, and sleep disturbance.

PRIMARY ENDPOINTS: The primary outcome variables are bone turnover marker status, and melatonin levels as measured in blood and bone density as measured by the Achilles method.

SECONDARY ENDPOINTS:
  1. Quality of life as measured by the MenQOL, a validated scale of menopausal quality of life

  2. Sleep, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire

RESEARCH PLAN This study is a longitudinal, cohort trial of 20 subjects who are perimenopausal and aged 45 years old or greater who have new onset of irregular menses not due to other known causes such as polycystic ovaries or hypothyroidism. Perimenopause is defined as the time between the onset of menstrual irregularity and menopause; there is no lab test that is diagnostic of perimenopause. Thus, the investigators will include women who, according to their age, are likely to be perimenopausal (age 45 or greater) and who have symptoms of perimenopause (irregular menses). Once a cohort of 20 subjects is recruited, the investigators will randomize volunteers using a computer-generated blocked randomization scheme. Five study subjects will receive placebo and 15 study subjects will receive melatonin, 3 mg). The women enrolled in the study will be asked to take their treatments by mouth at bedtime each day for 6 months to coincide with the nocturnal surge in melatonin each day. This dose of melatonin has been chosen because 3 mg melatonin is commonly used to induce phase-shifts in circadian rhythms in people.[17] Seeing that this is one of our secondary endpoints, this dose is appropriate. Regarding melatonin's effects on bone, there is nothing known about its efficacy on forming bone in women. Therefore, the dose of melatonin was chosen based on the reported literature using pre-clinical or in vitro culture models that showed positive effects on bone formation. These reports show variable effects of melatonin ranging from 400 pM in rat [15], to 5 mg melatonin in mouse (unpublished data) to 50 nM on human mesenchymal stem cells grown in culture.[12,16] The bioavailability of melatonin is 17% in females taking 250 mcg melatonin po.[18] Thus, a 3 mg dose of melatonin taken by mouth would result in a nocturnal exogenous level of 2.19 mM. The terminal half-life of melatonin is about 41 minutes in females [18], however, accumulation of melatonin in the bone marrow occurs [11]. Therefore, these data suggest that our 3 mg dose is appropriate for these studies.

PLANS FOR ASSESSMENT AND STUDY OUTCOMES Our primary outcome will be the levels of bone turnover markers, OC and NTX, bone density and melatonin taken at baseline and then after 6 months of treatment. The change in bone turnover marker levels will be compared between those taking melatonin and those taking placebo. Baseline levels of OC and NTX will be calculated. For this study the investigators will also visually inspect the data in order to perform descriptive analyses of the demographic characteristics of our population, such as age, and weight. We will explore characteristics of any individuals who have a significant improvement in their bone turnover markers, such as compliance with the treatment, diet, and lifestyle as determined by the diary. We will also make note of characteristics such as current or past cigarette smoking and alcohol and caffeine consumption as individuals with these risk factors may show less improvement in their bone turnover markers. We will use intention to treat as our primary analysis. We will attempt to minimize missing data with careful follow-up of subjects, maintaining consistent contact with them over the study period, and remunerating them for their inconvenience. If a subject drops out of the study, the investigators will still attempt to obtain their follow up studies.

Expected Outcomes.We expect perimenopausal women taking melatonin to show an improvement in overall bone health as revealed by an increase in bone density, an increase in OC and a decrease in NTX levels when compared to those women taking placebo. We also expect those taking melatonin to have better control over their menopausal symptoms, better quality of life and less sleep disturbances compared to their placebo controls. The potential benefits of participating in this study include the possibility of decreasing bone turnover and reducing fracture risk as well as improve sleep regardless, a condition much affected in this population of women. The data from these studies may provide novel and alternative uses for melatonin for the prevention of osteoporosis and provide women with more options to manage diseases associated with menopause.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Actual Enrollment :
19 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Prevention
Official Title:
Assessing the Efficacy of Melatonin on Bone Health in Peri-menopausal Women
Study Start Date :
Sep 1, 2008
Actual Primary Completion Date :
Jul 1, 2010
Actual Study Completion Date :
Jul 1, 2010

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Placebo Comparator: Sugar pill

Dietary Supplement: sugar pill
lactose p.o. at bedtime daily
Other Names:
  • Lactose
  • Active Comparator: melatonin

    Dietary Supplement: melatonin
    3mg p.o. at bedtime daily
    Other Names:
  • Nature's Bounty Melatonin
  • Natrol Melatonin
  • Spring Valley Melatonin
  • Outcome Measures

    Primary Outcome Measures

    1. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Serum Osteocalcin (OC) Levels in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline [Baseline and 6 months]

      Osteocalcin is a measure of osteoblast activity because it is secreted from osteoblasts. Osteocalcin levels were measured in the serum of women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin (3 mg) and the data are reported as ng/mL. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells so a more positive mean change in osteoblast activity over time (6 months - baseline) could indicate an improvement in bone mineral density. A more negative mean change in osteocalcin levels over time (6 months - baseline) could indicate a worsening of bone mineral density.

    2. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Serum Type-1 Collagen Cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) Levels in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 months]

      Type-1 collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) levels were measured in the serum of women at baseline and after taking placebo or melatonin (3 mg) nightly for 6 months. NTX, reported as bone collagen equivalents (BCE), is released from bone due to the actions of osteoclasts or bone breakdown cells. A more positive mean change in NTX levels (6 months - baseline) could result in a worsening of bone mineral density due to an increase in bone breakdown whereas a more negative mean change in NTX levels could result in an improvement in bone mineral density due to a decrease in bone breakdown.

    3. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Bone Density in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 months]

      The mean change in bone mineral density (BMD), represented by T-scores, was assessed by calcaneal ultrasound in women taking melatonin (3 mg) or placebo nightly at baseline and after 6 months. A T-score is a comparison of a subject's BMD to that of a healthy 30 year old female of the same ethnicity. The more negative the T-score, the worse the BMD. Osteoporosis or brittle bone disease is defined as a T-score -2.5 or less. A more negative mean change in a T-score would indicate a worsening of BMD. A more positive mean change in a T-score would indicate an improvement of BMD.

    Secondary Outcome Measures

    1. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Physical Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 mos]

      Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.

    2. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Vasomotor Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 mos]

      Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.

    3. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Psychosocial Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 mos]

      Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.

    4. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Sexual Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 mos]

      Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.

    5. The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline. [Baseline and 6 months]

      Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Questionnaire is a validated questionnaire that assesses the quality and quantity of sleep and sleep disorders.This survey is designed to identify "good" and "poor" sleepers and has a score scale that ranges from "0-21" with "0" being good quality of sleep and "21" being poor quality of sleep and/or indicating as having a sleep disorder. A more positive mean change in the PSQI over time indicates a worsening of sleep. A more negative mean change in the PSQI over time indicates an improvement in sleep.

    Eligibility Criteria

    Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study:
    45 Years to 54 Years
    Sexes Eligible for Study:
    Female
    Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
    Yes
    Inclusion Criteria:
    • Inclusion criteria include perimenopausal women,

    • willingness to participate in the 6-month study, willingness to undergo testing of bone turnover markers before and after the drug therapies and willingness to provide a self-assessment on quality of life and sleep throughout the program.

    • Subjects must be willing to take their treatments right before bed and to not to consume alcohol with this medication.

    Exclusion Criteria:
    • Exclusion criteria will include women in whom osteopenia is a result of some other known process such as hyperparathyroidism, metastatic bone disease, multiple myeloma or chronic steroid use.

    • Those individuals on osteoporotic drugs, hypnotics, CYP1A2 inhibiting drugs, fluvoxamine or those with severe sleep apnea, severe COPD and those with moderate or severe hepatic impairment will also be excluded.

    • Individuals who are lactose intolerant will also be excluded because the placebo and melatonin capsules will contain lactose.

    Contacts and Locations

    Locations

    Site City State Country Postal Code
    1 Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Center for Pharmacy Care Pittsburgh Pennsylvania United States 15282

    Sponsors and Collaborators

    • Duquesne University

    Investigators

    • Principal Investigator: Paula A Witt-Enderby, PhD, Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
    • Principal Investigator: Judith L Balk, MD, Magee-Womens Hospital, University of Pittsburgh

    Study Documents (Full-Text)

    None provided.

    More Information

    Additional Information:

    Publications

    Responsible Party:
    Duquesne University
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT01152580
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • 07-88
    First Posted:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Last Update Posted:
    Mar 13, 2012
    Last Verified:
    Mar 1, 2012

    Study Results

    Participant Flow

    Recruitment Details Recruitment started in September, 2008 and continued through February, 2010 using neighborhood and city newspapers, posting of flyers, on-campus advertising and news features in campus, local and city newspapers and the local news. Eligible subjects reported to the Center for Pharmacy Care at Duquesne University for screenings and assessments.
    Pre-assignment Detail Eligible subjects were randomly assigned using a computer-generated randomization scheme to receive either placebo or melatonin at a 3:1 ratio (treatment:placebo). Participants and principle investigators were completely blinded to the group assignments throughout the entire study thus achieving allocation concealment.
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Period Title: Overall Study
    STARTED 5 14
    COMPLETED 5 13
    NOT COMPLETED 0 1

    Baseline Characteristics

    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin Total
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months Total of all reporting groups
    Overall Participants 5 13 18
    Age (Count of Participants)
    <=18 years
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    Between 18 and 65 years
    5
    100%
    13
    100%
    18
    100%
    >=65 years
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    Age (years) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ]
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [years]
    47.5
    (2.0)
    50.3
    (3)
    49.5
    (3.0)
    Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants)
    Female
    5
    100%
    13
    100%
    18
    100%
    Male
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants)
    Hispanic or Latino
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    Not Hispanic or Latino
    5
    100%
    13
    100%
    18
    100%
    Unknown or Not Reported
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    0
    0%
    Region of Enrollment (participants) [Number]
    United States
    5
    100%
    13
    100%
    18
    100%
    Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m^2) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ]
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [kg/m^2]
    21.7
    (3.5)
    25.7
    (3.7)
    24.6
    (4.0)

    Outcome Measures

    1. Primary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Serum Osteocalcin (OC) Levels in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline
    Description Osteocalcin is a measure of osteoblast activity because it is secreted from osteoblasts. Osteocalcin levels were measured in the serum of women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin (3 mg) and the data are reported as ng/mL. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells so a more positive mean change in osteoblast activity over time (6 months - baseline) could indicate an improvement in bone mineral density. A more negative mean change in osteocalcin levels over time (6 months - baseline) could indicate a worsening of bone mineral density.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 months

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [ng/mL]
    -0.6
    (0.596)
    1.83
    (1.066)
    2. Secondary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Physical Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 mos

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale]
    0.1
    (0.5)
    -0.6
    (0.8)
    3. Secondary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Vasomotor Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 mos

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale]
    -0.2
    (0.4)
    0.4
    (1.8)
    4. Primary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Serum Type-1 Collagen Cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) Levels in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Type-1 collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX) levels were measured in the serum of women at baseline and after taking placebo or melatonin (3 mg) nightly for 6 months. NTX, reported as bone collagen equivalents (BCE), is released from bone due to the actions of osteoclasts or bone breakdown cells. A more positive mean change in NTX levels (6 months - baseline) could result in a worsening of bone mineral density due to an increase in bone breakdown whereas a more negative mean change in NTX levels could result in an improvement in bone mineral density due to a decrease in bone breakdown.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 months

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [nM BCE]
    -0.36
    (0.97)
    -0.32
    (1.4)
    5. Secondary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Psychosocial Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 mos

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale]
    -0.2
    (1.3)
    -0.4
    (1.3)
    6. Primary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Bone Density in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description The mean change in bone mineral density (BMD), represented by T-scores, was assessed by calcaneal ultrasound in women taking melatonin (3 mg) or placebo nightly at baseline and after 6 months. A T-score is a comparison of a subject's BMD to that of a healthy 30 year old female of the same ethnicity. The more negative the T-score, the worse the BMD. Osteoporosis or brittle bone disease is defined as a T-score -2.5 or less. A more negative mean change in a T-score would indicate a worsening of BMD. A more positive mean change in a T-score would indicate an improvement of BMD.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 months

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [T-score]
    -0.02
    (0.113)
    0.05
    (0.01)
    7. Secondary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Sexual Domain Scores in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) questionnaires were administered to women at baseline and after 6 months of taking placebo or melatonin nightly. The MENQOL is a validated questionnaire that measures 4 domains of menopause quality of life in women: physical, vasomotor, psychosocial and sexual with each domain having a scale of "not bothered" (score 0) or "bothered ranging from 1(not too bothered) to 6 (really bothered)". A more negative mean change for each of the MENQOL domain scores indicates an improvement of these symptoms and a more positive value a worsening of symptoms.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 mos

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale]
    -0.7
    (1.4)
    -0.4
    (1.2)
    8. Secondary Outcome
    Title The Effect of Melatonin (3 mg) or Placebo on the Mean Change in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in Women After 6 Months, as Compared to Baseline.
    Description Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) Questionnaire is a validated questionnaire that assesses the quality and quantity of sleep and sleep disorders.This survey is designed to identify "good" and "poor" sleepers and has a score scale that ranges from "0-21" with "0" being good quality of sleep and "21" being poor quality of sleep and/or indicating as having a sleep disorder. A more positive mean change in the PSQI over time indicates a worsening of sleep. A more negative mean change in the PSQI over time indicates an improvement in sleep.
    Time Frame Baseline and 6 months

    Outcome Measure Data

    Analysis Population Description
    intention to treat
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    Measure Participants 5 13
    Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale]
    -1.0
    (1.4)
    -0.5
    (2.8)

    Adverse Events

    Time Frame
    Adverse Event Reporting Description
    Arm/Group Title Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Arm/Group Description Each capsule contained lactose and the study subjects took this nightly, p.o. for 6 months Each capsule contained 3 mg melatonin and each subject was asked to take this nightly p.o. for 6 months
    All Cause Mortality
    Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
    Total / (NaN) / (NaN)
    Serious Adverse Events
    Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
    Total 0/5 (0%) 0/13 (0%)
    Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events
    Sugar Pill Melatonin
    Affected / at Risk (%) # Events Affected / at Risk (%) # Events
    Total 0/5 (0%) 0/13 (0%)

    Limitations/Caveats

    Limitations to this study include small sample sizes, length of follow-up, and heterogeneity in terms of stage of perimenopause and prevalence of menopausal symptoms.

    More Information

    Certain Agreements

    Principal Investigators are NOT employed by the organization sponsoring the study.

    There is NOT an agreement between Principal Investigators and the Sponsor (or its agents) that restricts the PI's rights to discuss or publish trial results after the trial is completed.

    Results Point of Contact

    Name/Title Dr. Paula Witt-Enderby, Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology
    Organization Duquesne University
    Phone 412-396-4346
    Email wittp@duq.edu
    Responsible Party:
    Duquesne University
    ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
    NCT01152580
    Other Study ID Numbers:
    • 07-88
    First Posted:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Last Update Posted:
    Mar 13, 2012
    Last Verified:
    Mar 1, 2012