Chowdhury-Paulino IM, Vaselkiv JB, Cheng I, Schernhammer ES, Lin Z, Haiman CA, Le Marchand L, Valdimarsdóttir U, Wilkens LR, Markt SC, Mucci LA. Adiposity, Weight Change, and Urinary Melatonin Levels among Men in the Multiethnic Cohort.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;
33:136-142. [PMID:
37909946 DOI:
10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0860]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Low levels of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, the primary urinary metabolite of melatonin, have been linked to cancer and cardiometabolic outcomes in White and female populations.
METHODS
We examined the association between adulthood adiposity and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels in a racially and ethnically diverse population. Our study included 4,078 men in the Multiethnic Cohort with adiposity measurements at enrollment (1993-1996) and biomarkers measured in urines collected in 1995 and 2005. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate the percent change in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Associations were examined separately by racial/ethnic group.
RESULTS
The prevalence of obesity varied by race and ethnicity, from 10% for Japanese American men to 34% for Native Hawaiian men. Compared with men with normal body mass index (BMI), men who were overweight (-7.8%; 95% CI, -11.9 to -3.5%) and obese (-18.1%; 95% CI, -23.2 to -12.6%) had significantly lower 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels adjusting for potential confounding factors. Increasing weight gain in adulthood was also associated with lower 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (Ptrend < 0.0001). The inverse associations for BMI and weight change were qualitatively similar across racial and ethnic groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is inversely associated with melatonin in a racially diverse population. This finding is relevant given higher rates of obesity among Black, Native Hawaiian, and Latino men, as well as potential racial and ethnic differences in circadian function.
IMPACT
Melatonin may be a relevant biomarker among obesity-associated malignancies and could shed light on a potential mechanism of cancer disparities.
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