Excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) in siblings during childhood and adolescence.
The analysis was performed to support the assumption that in inter-individual variations melatonin production is determined genetically. Sixty-six siblings from 31 families (27 girls, 39 boys, 3-18 years) contributed to this study with 3 to 15 urine samples collected once a year over 24 h. The samples were stored at -20 degrees C and analyzed for the daily output of the melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6-OHMS) by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicate that 6-OHMS excretion was significantly correlated in siblings (r = 0.37, p = 0.01), suggesting a possible genetic background of melatonin production. However, prospective studies controlling also lifestyle factors such as diet are required to further confirm the hypothesis.
Griefahn
Barbara
B
Institute for Occupational Physiology at the University of Dortmund, Germany. griefahn@ifado.de
Bröde
Peter
P
Remer
Thomas
T
Blaszkewicz
Meinolf
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000652:urine*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D035781:Siblings; D013997:Time Factors
C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin