Circadian variations of salivary melatonin levels in women of reproductive and postmenopausal age with gynoid and android obesity.

Circadian variations of salivary melatonin (MEL) were examined in 81 women (48 of reproductive and 33 of postmenopausal age), 16 of them with moderate overweight, 32 showing gynoid obesity (BMI>30 kg/m[^2]; WHR<0.8) and 33 showing android obesity (BMI>30 kg/m[^2]; WHR>0.8). The circadian profiles of salivary MEL in women with moderate overweight were parallel to those of controls. However, mean 24-h salivary MEL levels tended to be higher in all obese patients as compared with controls (mainly due to increase of its daytime levels). In addition, the suppression of MEL rhythmicity was observed in all subjects studied irrespectively of gynoid or android obesity, while nocturnal MEL peak shift was observed predominantly in the case of extreme obesity with android distribution of adipose tissue. Despite of increasing tendencies mean 24 h MEL concentrations and stronger suppression of circadian variations and/or nocturnal MEL peak shift in extremely obese women with android distribution of adipose tissue, no significant correlation was found between the values of BMI index, WHR ratio and circadian MEL concentrations.