Effects and Mechanisms of Melatonin on Blood Pressure, Insulin Resistance, and Platelets

The investigators will be studying the effect of melatonin on blood pressure and insulin
resistance, and possible reasons for how melatonin works on blood pressure and IR. Along
with blood testing to measure adipokines, insulin resistance (IR), and platelet function
(how well your blood clots), 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) will be
used to measure blood pressure, since ABPM is the gold standard (best method) for accurate
assessment of blood pressure status and associated cardiovascular risk. Vascular (blood
vessel) function, IR, adipokine levels and sleep quality will also be measured. All study
endpoints will be measured at baseline and following 6 weeks of daily melatonin 9 mg dosing.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Normotensive (SBP <120) or prehypertensive (SBP = 120-139 mm Hg)

- Age: Young/middle-aged (ages 18-45) and (2) 10 elderly subjects ages 65 and older

Exclusion Criteria:

- Patients with a diagnosis of

- clinical hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus

- pregnancy

- coronary or cerebrovascular disease

- collagen vascular disease,

- organ failure (heart, kidney, liver).

- Patients taking anti-inflammatory medications: NSAIDs, corticosteroids,
thiazolidinediones, and statins,

- Patients who have taken melatonin previously in the past year.