Melatonin is metabolized to N-acetyl serotonin and 6-hydroxymelatonin in man

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1985 Jan;60(1):114-9. doi: 10.1210/jcem-60-1-114.

Abstract

To investigate whether melatonin (aMT) can be metabolized to N-acetyl serotonin (NAS), a low dose of deuterated aMT was administered to four normal subjects, and their urine samples were analyzed for the presence of deuterated NAS and deuterated 6-hydroxymelatonin (6-HaMT). In one set of experiments, the urine samples were subjected to column chromatography to separate the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates for independent analysis. In another, an internal standard (NAS-sulfate) was used for quantification and total conjugate analysis. Measurement was by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the molecular ions of deuterated and nondeuterated NAS and 6-HaMT were monitored. Deuterated aMT was metabolized to deuterated NAS and deuterated 6-HaMT. The proportion of NAS was less in the sulfate than in the glucuronide conjugates and, overall, represented 15% of the total. Since demethylation is not a pathway that occurs with other pineal methoxyindoles, even at a much larger dose, it seems to be a significant finding with regard to aMT. Thus, it may be important to elucidate the differential metabolism of aMT at different time points and in different age groups.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biotransformation
  • Deuterium
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Glucuronates / urine
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melatonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Melatonin / metabolism*
  • Melatonin / urine
  • Serotonin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Serotonin / urine
  • Sulfates / urine

Substances

  • Glucuronates
  • Sulfates
  • Serotonin
  • Deuterium
  • Melatonin
  • N-acetylserotonin
  • 6-hydroxymelatonin