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Influence of cigarette smoking on melatonin levels in man

  • Pharmacokinetics and Disposition
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke induce cytochrome P450(CYP)1A2, which is involved in the hepatic metabolism of melatonin (MT). This suggests that habitual smokers may have low serum MT levels during smoking compared with a non-smoking period. We decided to investigate whether this suggestion is correct.

Methods

Eight habitual smokers were tested on two occasions. They had smoked prior to the first occasion but had not smoked for 7 days prior to the second. Each test was divided into two parts. The first part spanned the night between 2000 hours and 0800 hours. Venous blood samples were collected every second hour during this period for analysis of endogenous serum MT. The second part was performed the subsequent day. At 0930 hours, 25 mg MT was ingested orally, and blood samples for exogenous serum MT analysis were collected every hour between 1000 hours and 1600 hours. Endogenous and exogenous areas under the serum MT–time curve (MT-AUCs) were calculated.

Results

Endogenous serum MT-AUCs were similar during the two periods. Oral administration of MT induced supraphysiological levels of serum MT. Moreover, exogenous serum MT-AUCs were significantly smaller before than after smoking abstinence (7.34±1.85 versus 21.07±7.28 nmol/l×h; P<0.02; means±SEM).

Conclusion

This investigation shows that exogenous, but not endogenous (at night), serum MT levels are influenced by cigarette smoking. When the MT levels are low, the influence of CYP1A2 levels appears to be less pronounced than when they are high, and the enzyme capacity hugely utilized. These findings implicate that interactions between exogenous MT, and substrates metabolized by CYP1A2, may differ in individuals before and after smoking abstinence.

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Acknowledgements

C. Häll, A.C. Larsson, E. Norén-Krog and I.L. Wivall are gratefully acknowledged for skillful experimental and technical assistance. The study was supported by grant no. 4224 from the Swedish Medical Research Council, and by Swedish Match.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Endocrinology Section, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Karolinska Institute, 118 83, Stockholm, Sweden

    Carina Ursing

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Stockholm Söder Hospital, Karolinska Institute, 118 83, Stockholm, Sweden

    Christer von Bahr

  3. Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Karolinska Hospital, 118 83, Stockholm, Sweden

    Kerstin Brismar & Sven Röjdmark

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  1. Carina Ursing
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  2. Christer von Bahr
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  3. Kerstin Brismar
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  4. Sven Röjdmark
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Correspondence to Carina Ursing.

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Ursing, C., Bahr, C.v., Brismar, K. et al. Influence of cigarette smoking on melatonin levels in man. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 61, 197–201 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-005-0908-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-005-0908-7

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