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Melatonin Reduces Acute Mental Stress and Reduces Blood Coagulation |
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Written by Robbie Durand
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
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D-dimer is a
marker of fibrin formation in the blood. Fibrin is a protein involved in the
clotting of blood. Rupture of a coronary
plaque and subsequent thrombosis marks the core transition from stable coronary
artery disease to an acute heart attack. Previous studies reported higher
D-dimer concentrations in heart attack patients than for control subjects
reflecting that D-dimer is a plasma marker of activated blood clotting.
Increased D-dimer concentration during admission for heart attacks predicted
major adverse cardiac events during hospitalization. Researchers in Switzerland
reported that 3 mg of melatonin reduced stress responses and lowered D-dimer
activity. The research suggests that the blunting effect of melatonin on the
procoagulant response to acute psychosocial stress is clinically meaningful.
Indeed, melatonin resulted in a 20% reduction in stress-induced D-dimer change.
In humans, platelet aggregation in vitro was inhibited by melatonin suggesting
a dose-response effect. Melatonin may be
useful for bodybuilders because it reduces stress and blood coagulation.
Wirtz PH, Bärtschi C, Spillmann M, Ehlert U, von Känel R.
Effect of oral melatonin on the procoagulant response to
acute psychosocial stress in healthy men: a randomized
placebo-controlled study. J Pineal Res.
2008 May;44(4):358-65.
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Research and Review 