A randomized trial found that 12 weeks of melatonin supplementation did not significantly reduce 24-hour urinary protein excretion in adults with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease. It was associated with modest changes in total cholesterol and sleep quality.
Source: Human randomized trial, 73 adults with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease. People were assigned at random to take it or not: the strongest single kind of study for showing cause and effect.
What was found
A 12-week trial found that melatonin supplementation did not lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in 24-hour urinary protein excretion in adults with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease compared to placebo.
Both the melatonin and placebo groups showed a reduction in urinary protein excretion. The mean reduction was 52.45 mg/day with melatonin and 28.69 mg/day with placebo. The difference between groups was not statistically significant.
Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate remained stable in both groups.
Melatonin was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol compared to placebo.
Sleep quality also showed a statistically significant difference between groups, with melatonin associated with a greater improvement in PSQI score.
No serious adverse events related to the treatment were observed.
How it was done
The researchers conducted a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
73 participants with stage 3–4 chronic kidney disease and persistent proteinuria were randomly assigned to receive either oral melatonin (3 mg at bedtime) or a matching placebo.
The primary outcome measured was the change in 24-hour urinary protein excretion from baseline to week 12. Secondary assessments included renal function, blood pressure, sleep quality, metabolic and laboratory parameters, and treatment safety.
What it does not show
The trial was 12 weeks long and involved 73 participants, which may limit the ability to detect small or long-term effects.
Although the point estimate for protein excretion favored melatonin, the confidence interval was compatible with both a modest benefit and no treatment effect, indicating uncertainty in the findings for this primary outcome.
What happens next
Larger, multicenter trials with longer follow-up and adequate statistical power are needed to determine if melatonin has clinically relevant renal effects in specific chronic kidney disease populations.
Where this fits
This study suggests that melatonin at 3 mg nightly for 12 weeks did not meaningfully reduce protein in the urine for adults with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease. However, it was associated with some improvements in total cholesterol and sleep quality. People considering melatonin for sleep support may find this relevant, but those hoping for a direct impact on kidney function related to proteinuria may not find strong support here. Readers can check the dose studied against the label of any melatonin supplement they are considering.
Read more: Best supplements for sleep
Who was talking about it
- Health science reports on journal (2026-10-29): Health science reports published a clinical trial concluding that 12 weeks of melatonin supplementation did not demonstrate a clinically meaningful reduction in 24-hour urinary protein excretion in adults with stage 3-4 CKD, but was generally well tolerated and associated with modest changes in selected metabolic and sleep-related outcomes. See the post
The source
This is news, reported from the source above. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you change any medicine or supplement.