Melatonin Ingestion Prevents Liver Damage and Improves Biomarkers of Renal Function Following a Maximal Exercise

• Published in: Research quarterly for exercise and sport Vol. 94; no. 3; pp. 869 - 879
• Main Authors: Farjallah, Mohamed Amine, Graja, Ahmed, Ghattassi, Kais, Ben Mahmoud, Lobna, Elleuch, Henda, Ayadi, Fatma, Driss, Tarak, Jammoussi, Kamel, Sahnoun, Zouheir, Souissi, Nizar, Hammouda, Omar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 03.07.2023
• Subjects: Clinical tests; liver damage; melatonin; soccer; soccer; melatonin; liver damage; Clinical tests
• ISSN: 0270-1367; 2168-3824; 2168-3824
• DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2022.2068792

Background: While the promotion of the beneficial effects of melatonin (MEL) ingestion on the modulation of oxidative stress is widespread, less attention is given to the biological influence that it could exert on the results of hematology and clinical chemistry parameters. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of acute MEL ingestion on these parameters during a maximal running exercise. Methods: In double blind randomized design, 12 professional soccer players [age: 17.54 ± 0.78 yrs, body mass: 70.31 ± 3.86 kg, body height: 1.8 ± 0.08 m; maximal aerobic speed (MAS): 16.85 ± 0.63 km/h; mean ± standard deviation], all males, performed a diurnal (17:00 h ± 30 h) running exercise test (RET) at 100% of their MAS following either MEL or placebo ingestion. Blood samples were obtained at rest and following the RET. Results: Compared to placebo, MEL intake decreased post-exercise biomarkers of liver damage (aspartate aminotransferase, p<0.001; alanine aminotransferase, p<0.001; gamma-glutamyltransferase; p<0.05) and improved post-exercise renal function markers (i.e., creatinine, p<0.001). However, lipid profile, glucose, lactate and leukocyte were not affected by MEL ingestion. Regarding the time to exhaustion, no difference was found between MEL (362.46 ± 42.06 s) and PLA (374.54 ± 57.97 s) conditions. Conclusion: The results of this investigation clearly attest that MEL ingestion before a maximal running exercise might protect athletes from liver damage and perturbation in renal function biomarkers. However, this study comprises an acute MEL supplementation and no assessment on chronic effects or circadian rhythm the day before was done.