Oxytocin (OT) is a hypothalamic peptide that enters the peripheral circulation via the posterior pituitary gland. OT plays a key role in regulating appetite, psychopathology, prosocial behavior and sexual function. Hypopituitarism is associated with increased obesity, increased psychopathology, sexual and prosocial dysfunction despite appropriate hormone replacement. A few studies suggest the existence of a possible OT deficient state in hypopituitarism. In animal models, melatonin has shown to increase OT release. This study is designed to evaluate oxytocin values after administration of melatonin in adults (healthy volunteers and patients with hypopituitarism). The investigators hypothesize that OT response will be blunted following melatonin in patients with hypopituitarism compared to healthy controls.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
40
A single dose of melatonin (1.9 mg)
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Barcelona, Spain
Change in oxytocin concentration
Change in oxytocin concentration (pg/mL) after administration of 1.9 mg of melatonin orally.
Time frame: Baseline blood exam (timepoint 0) and further blood collections after 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after baseline blood collection
Maximal change in oxytocin concentration (pg/mL)
Maximal change in oxytocin concentration (pg/mL) after administration of 1.9 mg of melatonin administered orally.
Time frame: Within the two hours after the injection
Overall oxytocin secretion
Oxytocin area under the curve after administration of 1.9 melatonin administered orally
Time frame: Within the two hours after the injection
Mood assessment
Correlation between Beck Depression Inventory-2 score (range from 0 to 63, higher scores mean a worse outcome) and baseline oxytocin concentration (pg/mL)
Time frame: At baseline
Quality of life assessment
Correlation between 36 item- Short Form Health Survey score (range from 0 to 100, the higher scores indicate better health status) and baseline oxytocin concentration (pg/mL)
Time frame: At baseline
Impulsivity assessment
Correlation between Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (range from 30 to 120, higher scores indicate greater impulsivity) and baseline oxytocin concentration (pg/mL)
Time frame: At baseline
Alexithymia assessment
Correlation between Toronto Alexithymia scales-20 score (range from 20 to 100, higher scores mean a worse outcome) and baseline oxytocin concentration (pg/mL)
Time frame: At baseline
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