Effects of Melatonin on Lipid Metabolism

The worldwide prevalence of obesity is steadily increasing. Several studies have reported an association between chronic sleep deprivation and long-term weight gain. Recently, many reports suggest that the decrease in endogenous melatonin with aging may alter metabolism and physical activity, resulting in increased body weight, visceral adiposity, and associated detrimental metabolic consequences. Thus, it is important to define the roles of melatonin on weight gain and fat accumulation. This project will be designed to more clearly define their roles, by performing both animal and cellular studies. To understand the effects of different doses of melatonin on lipid metabolism, we will conduct this three years project. In the first year, we will compare the effects of three different doses of melatonin on the mechanism of fat accumulation by measuring hepatic enzyme activities, adipokines, leptin, and gene expression in hamster. The second year, we will measure the enzymes involving fat synthesis and oxidation, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and peroxisome proliferators activated receptors in different percentage of dietary fat by using a diet-induced obesity animal model. In the third year, we will investigate the effects of melatonin on enzyme involving fat synthesis and oxidation, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, and peroxisome proliferators activated receptors by using 3T3-L1 cell culture. Our results can provide more information about a proper choice of dietary fat composition for weight loss or maintain programs.