HormonesMelatonin

Nightly melatonin supplementation improves sleep quality and selected oxidative or circadian surrogate endpoints in hemodialysis patients, but its effect on slowing CKD progression or preserving renal function remains unproven.

Current clinical studies suggest that nightly melatonin supplementation can improve sleep quality and certain oxidative or circadian surrogate markers in hemodialysis patients. However, whether melatonin slows chronic kidney disease progression or preserves renal function has not been established.

Last updated: Jul 8, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Circadian Influences on Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: Molecular Signaling Pathways of Melatonin and Their Therapeutic Potential.

observational

Lu KC, Lu CL, Hou YC, Huang YS, Chang YT, Zheng CM, Wu CC · Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Nightly melatonin supplementation
Outcome: Sleep quality, oxidative stress markers, circadian surrogate endpoints, CKD progression, renal function
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease

Result:

PubMed: 42356569DOI: 10.3390/ph19060952

Mechanism Graph

Melatonin acts via MT1/MT2 receptors, RORα, and receptor-independent antioxidant pathways
↓
Enhances Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and restrains NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activity
↓
Suppresses TGF-β1/Smad2/3-mediated fibrogenesis and preserves mitochondrial integrity
↓
Engages SIRT1-linked clock regulation, potentially improving circadian entrainment and cytoprotection

Limitations

  • ⚠The claim is based on surrogate endpoints and not on hard renal outcomes like CKD progression or renal function preservation
  • ⚠The evidence is from clinical studies that are not adequately powered to confirm renoprotective effects
  • ⚠The abstract does not specify the exact dose or duration of melatonin used in the studies

Frequently Asked Questions

Does melatonin slow the progression of chronic kidney disease?▼

Current evidence does not prove that melatonin slows CKD progression or preserves renal function; this remains unproven and requires adequately powered clinical trials.

What benefits does melatonin offer to hemodialysis patients?▼

Melatonin supplementation has been shown to improve sleep quality and certain oxidative or circadian surrogate endpoints in hemodialysis patients.

How does melatonin work in the context of CKD?▼

Melatonin acts through MT1/MT2 receptors, RORα, and antioxidant pathways to enhance Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, inhibit NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome activity, suppress fibrosis, and support mitochondrial integrity and clock regulation.

Is melatonin recommended as a treatment for CKD?▼

No, melatonin is considered a candidate chronotherapeutic adjunct, not an established renoprotective therapy, and further research is needed.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Lu KC, Lu CL, Hou YC, Huang YS, Chang YT, Zheng CM, Wu CC. "Circadian Influences on Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: Molecular Signaling Pathways of Melatonin and Their Therapeutic Potential.." Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. PMID: 42356569 DOI: 10.3390/ph19060952
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.