Evaluation of significance of melatonin and some atmospheric and heliogeophysical factors for patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Introduction. Changes in melatonin (MT) production affected by earth magnetic field (EMF) were documented, including but not limited to patients with cardiovascular diseases. Thus far, the connection between MT content and atmospheric and heliogeophysical factors with regard to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients has not been thoroughly studied and the existing data are controversial. Material and methods. The levels of MT metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin were measured in urine at night (MTn) and day (MTd) time in 114 ACS and 26 stable angina (SA) patients on days 1-3 of hospital stay. Results. Significant inverse correlation between MTn content and EMF H and D-components (H, D) of EMF was found in ACS patients as well as direct correlation between the MTn levels and solar radiation flux density at a wavelength of 10.7 cm (F-10.7) and the number of sun spots (the Wolf number - W). Significant direct correlation was shown between EMF D-component value, Kp- and Ap- geomagnetic activity indices in ACS patients developing cardiovascular complications. For ACS patients, the risk of development of cardiovascular complications was 1,62 and 1,15 times greater at high Kp- and Ap-indices respectively. Conclusion. Direct connection between MTn level and solar activity factors was observed in ACS patients together with inverse correlation with geomagnetic activity which confirms the influence of heliogeophysical factors on MT production. The risk of developing cardiovascular complications increases at higher Kp-and Ap- indices which proves the effect of heliogeophysical factors on the clinical course of cardiovascular pathology. The MTn content was shown to decrease in winter in these patients.