Melatonin as a Possible Stimulus to Unmask an Oxytocin-Deficient State in Hypopituitarism and Hypothalamic Damage
Main finding · Change in OXT after MELResult — go to the resultDifference 14.57 pg/mL 95% CI 1.90–27.23Authors' conclusion
The reduced OXT response after MEL in HHD supports the existence of an impaired OXT response at least in a subset of patients with HHD. The associations between OXT changes and psychopathology suggest its role in mood and QoL. These findings support further investigation into MEL's role as a diagnostic tool to address OXT-D.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with hypopituitarism and hypothalamic damage (11 women) and healthy controls (11 women)
- Participants
- 20 vs 20
- Comparison
- Melatonin stimulation in hypopituitarism and hypothalamic damage (HHD) vs healthy controls
- HHDn = 20
- Healthy controls (HCs)n = 20reference
- Outcome
- Change in plasma OXT in response to MEL in HHD vs HCs (linear mixed-effects model)
- Follow-up
- T90 vs T0
Main finding
Change in OXT after MEL
Difference
14.57 pg/mL
95% CI 1.90–27.23
P = 0.02
HCsvs HHD
difference 14.57 pg/mL (95% CI 1.90–27.23); P = 0.02
As reported in the abstract
Further findings
Psychopathology, sexual function and quality of life (QoL)
- HHD had more depression symptoms, alexithymia, impaired sexual function and worse QoL vs HCs
Association of OXT change with psychopathology · T0 to T90
- Mean % change in OXT negatively associated with depressive and alexithymia symptoms in HHD and with anxiety in both groups
Original publication
Melatonin as a Possible Stimulus to Unmask an Oxytocin-Deficient State in Hypopituitarism and Hypothalamic Damage. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 1 April 2025. doi:10.
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