Melatonin and the Aging Process in Men in the European Part of the Arctic Zone of Russia

Abstract

We analyzed the concentrations of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT) in working-age men (aged 19–69 years) living in the European part of the Arctic zone of Russia. The 6-SMT level in the studied group was similar to that in the control group of men living in Western Siberia. The 6-SMT level decreased with age and reached the minimal values at the age of 40–49 years. In the group aged 60–69 years, there was a tendency to increase; however, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) as compared with men aged <29 years. We observed the effect of alcohol use on the 6-SMT level; it was lower in men who consumed alcohol than in nonconsumers. The plasma level of free testosterone decreased with age; this value in the group aged 60–69 years was 50% lower than in the group aged 29 years. We observed the activation of lipid peroxidation, which was not compensated for by a higher activity rate of glutathione-reductase or higher plasma levels of SH groups as compared with the control group. Age-related decrease in the level of melatonin, which is an endogenous antioxidant, was associated with a gradual accumulation of peroxidation products and reduced activity of the antioxidant system due to decreasing level of SH-groups.