title: Low urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in patients with severe congestive heart failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion in patients admitted to the hospital because of congestive heart failure (CHF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay in 33 hospitalized patients with CHF and in 146 healthy ambulatory volunteers. Individuals with hepatic or renal failure were excluded from the sample. Data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  6-Sulfatoxymelatonin levels were significantly lower in CHF patients than controls (median 2.6 vs 6.02 microg, p < 0.0001). This decrease was observed regardless of beta-adrenergic blocker or benzodiazepine medication. A significant decrease in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin excretion occurred with age. There were no significant differences in urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels between chronic and acute CHF patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that circulating melatonin levels are low in patients with CHF. Such a decrease may precede aggravation of heart failure.
authors.affiliation: División Cardiología, Hospital Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Girotti
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lago
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ianovsky
authors.forename: Marcelo V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Elizari
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dini
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pérez Lloret
authors.forename: Liliana E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Albornoz
authors.forename: Daniel P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Cardinali
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin