Male-female differences in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in hypopituitary patients

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Feb 16;60(3):223-30. doi: 10.1590/2359-3997000000153.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate melatonin secretion in adult hypopituitary patients with Growth Hormone deficiency (AGHD) on and off replacement therapy.

Subjects and methods: We studied 48 subjects: 12 (6 males) untreated AGHD (AGHDnt), 20 (10 males) treated AGHD (AGHDt) and 16 healthy subjects (8 males) as control group (CG). We measured urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SM) in total (24 h samples), nocturnal (6-SMn): 1800-0800 and diurnal samples (6-SMd): 0800-1800.

Results: Significant differences were observed among the 3 groups of male subjects, in total 6-SM (p < 0.05), nocturnal 6-SM (p < 0.02) and nighttime-daytime delta values (p < 0.003). CG had significantly higher values than the AGHDnt in total 6-SM (p < 0.01), nocturnal 6-SM (p < 0.05) and nighttime-daytime delta values (p < 0.01). AGHDt patients showed significantly higher levels in nighttime-daytime delta values than AGHDnt patients (p < 0.05). In females, no significant differences were found among the 3 groups studied in total, nocturnal, diurnal or nighttime-daytime delta values. In males, significant correlations were found among total 6-SM (r = 0.58; p = 0.029), nocturnal 6-SM (r = 0.70; p = 0.006) and nighttime-daytime delta values (r = 0.71; p = 0.004) vs. serum IGF-1 levels in subjects evaluated. In females, significant correlations were found among total 6-SM (r = 0.57; p = 0.02) vs. serum IGF-1 levels in subjects evaluated. A tendency towards a significant correlation was found in diurnal 6-SM (r = 0.48; p = 0.07).

Conclusions: Our findings show a sexual dimorphism in 6-SM excretion in AGHD patients and provide an interesting approach to a further understanding of some chronobiological disorders involved in GH deficiency.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Female
  • Human Growth Hormone / deficiency*
  • Humans
  • Hypopituitarism / physiopathology*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Male
  • Melatonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Melatonin / metabolism
  • Melatonin / urine
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Gland / physiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Sex Factors*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Human Growth Hormone
  • 6-sulfatoxymelatonin
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • Melatonin