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Melatonin and DNA Repair: New Scientific Insights
Melatonin is widely recognised for its role in regulating sleep, but emerging human research suggests its biological influence may extend further, potentially supporting the body’s natural ability to repair oxidative DNA damage during sleep.
Recent findings from a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial have highlighted a new dimension of melatonin’s physiological importance, particularly for individuals experiencing disrupted circadian rhythms, such as night shift workers.
Melatonin: More Than a Sleep Hormone
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in response to darkness. Its primary function is to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and support circadian rhythm alignment. In addition to its role in sleep timing, melatonin is also known to act as a powerful antioxidant within the body.
Antioxidants help neutralise reactive oxygen species – unstable molecules generated through normal metabolism and environmental exposure – which can damage cells, proteins, and DNA.
Why DNA Damage and Repair Are Critical for Long-Term Health
Oxidative DNA damage occurs daily as a result of normal biological processes. While the body is equipped with sophisticated DNA repair mechanisms, their efficiency can be influenced by sleep quality, circadian alignment, and overall oxidative stress levels.
When DNA repair processes are compromised or overwhelmed, damage can accumulate over time. This accumulation has been associated with ageing processes and increased disease risk, highlighting the importance of cellular repair during rest and recovery.
New Clinical Research: Melatonin and DNA Repair in Humans
Overview of the Randomised Controlled Trial
A clinical trial published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine investigated whether melatonin supplementation could influence markers of oxidative DNA damage repair in night shift workers, a group known to experience suppressed natural melatonin production.
The study included 40 participants who worked rotating night shifts. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 3 mg of melatonin or a placebo daily for four weeks, taken approximately one hour before daytime sleep following night work.
Key Findings: Improved Oxidative DNA Repair During Sleep
Researchers measured urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), a well-established biomarker associated with oxidative DNA damage repair activity.
The results showed that participants who supplemented with melatonin exhibited approximately 80% higher levels of this DNA repair marker during daytime sleep compared with the placebo group. No significant difference was observed during the night shift period itself.
These findings suggest that melatonin supplementation may enhance the body’s natural DNA repair processes during sleep, particularly when normal circadian rhythms are disrupted.
How Circadian Disruption Affects Cellular Health
Exposure to light at night and irregular sleep schedules can suppress endogenous melatonin production. Over time, this circadian disruption has been associated with increased oxidative stress and impaired cellular recovery.
Night shift workers, frequent travellers, and individuals with irregular sleep patterns may therefore experience reduced restorative processes during sleep, underscoring the importance of circadian support.
What This Research Means for Shift Workers and Modern Lifestyles
While this research does not suggest that melatonin prevents disease, it provides valuable insight into how melatonin may support biological recovery during sleep in challenging circadian conditions.
For individuals exposed to long-term circadian misalignment, melatonin supplementation – when used appropriately – may help support sleep timing and the body’s natural cellular maintenance processes.
Can Melatonin Support Cellular Resilience and Healthy Aging?
Melatonin’s antioxidant properties, combined with its role in circadian regulation, make it a molecule of growing interest in longevity and preventative health research.
However, experts emphasise that this evidence is still emerging. Larger and longer-term studies are needed to fully understand the clinical relevance of melatonin supplementation for DNA repair and long-term health outcomes.
Melatonin should be viewed as a supplement that supports sleep and circadian health, not as a medical treatment or disease-prevention strategy.
