RT Journal Article
T1 Melatonin and pro-hypnotic effectiveness of the antidepressant Trazodone: A preliminary evaluation in insomniac mood-disorder patients
A1 Giannaccini, Gino
A1 Masala, Irene
A1 Palego, Lionella
A1 Betti, Laura
A1 Pacciardi, Bruno
A1 Palagini, Laura
A1 Luchini, Federica
A1 Belli, Simone
A1 Lucacchini, Antonio
A1 Mauri, Mauro
AB ObjectiveTo preliminary investigate the link between the darkness hormone melatonin (MLT) and the pro-hypnotic effectiveness of the atypical antidepressant Trazodone (TRZ) in a group of mood disorder patients suffering of insomnia.Design and methodsThe study's design comprised: i) the enrolment of insomniac outpatients, ii) baseline (t0) psychiatric and biochemical examinations; iii) the subsequent patients' introduction into a treatment with TRZ for 3–4 weeks, followed by post-therapy re-evaluations (t1). The MLT function was investigated by t0/t1 ELISA determinations of 6-hydroxy-MLT sulfate (6-OH-MLTs) levels in early-morning urines and HPLC analysis of morning MLT serum amount. Concomitantly, TRZ and its metabolite m-chloro-phenylpiperazine (m-CPP) were measured by HPLC in serum to monitor patients' compliance/metabolism.ResultsSeventeen insomniac outpatients, displaying mild symptoms of depression/anxiety resistant to antidepressants, completed TRZ therapy (dose:10–20 mg/day, bedtime). Serum TRZ levels (127 ± 57 ng ml− 1, mean ± SD) confirmed patients' compliance, while the anxiogenic metabolite m-CPP resulting almost undetectable. Moreover, the 6-OH-MLTs output was found increased at t1 vs. baseline values (t1: 58.4 ± 45.02 ng ml− 1; t0: 28.6 ± 15.8 ng ml− 1; mean ± SD, P < 0.05) in 9 patients who recovered both insomnia and depression/anxiety (P < 0.01). Unresponsive subjects showed instead no post-therapy 6-OH-MLTs variation (t1: 48.53 ± 50.70 ng ml− 1; t0: 49.80 ± 66.53 ng ml− 1). Morning MLT in serum slightly diminished at t1 without reaching the statistical significance, not allowing therefore to define the patients' outcome.ConclusionsThis initial investigation encourages to explore MLT networks as possible correlates of TRZ pro-hypnotic responses.
PB Elsevier
YR 2016
FD 2016-10
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/101178
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/101178
LA eng
DS Docta Complutense
RD 8 abr 2025