Background:
Nightshift work has been linked with increased risks of multiple cancers. Given how common nightshift work is in Canada (~1.8million Canadians work between the hours of midnight and 5 am),its link with cancer represents an important public health concern that has not been addressed. Free radicals are molecules in our body that cause damage to cells and lead to the development of cancer and other health conditions. Research has shown that poor sleep quality among nightshift workers is associated with increased cell damage and reduced ability to repair damaged DNA.
Purpose of the study:
This research aims to determine if melatonin supplementation, through improvements in sleep quality, increases the ability to repair oxidative DNA damage and reduce lipid peroxidation levels among nightshift workers.
This is a Phase IV randomized, placebo-controlled trial among nightshift workers. A Phase IV study is a study of an approved health product which is conducted to obtain additional information regarding the product’s benefits and optimal use. The purpose of this trial is to determine whether:
- Melatonin supplements consumed by nightshift workers before going to sleep during the day will improve their sleep quality and, therefore, reduce the production of cellular damage; and
- Melatonin supplements consumed by nightshift workers before going to sleep during the day will improve their sleep quality and, therefore, improve the ability to repair cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Sponsor: Canadian Cancer Society/ Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BC Cancer Foundation