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January 21, 2026Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation0 citations

Evaluation of Cervicovaginal Melatonin Levels in Relation to HPV Infections and the Development of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions

BÖBelma Gözde ÖzdemirSelçuk University OYOsman Yıldırım ŞKŞeyma Kılıç

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate cervicovaginal melatonin levels in relation to HPV infections and the development of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.
Enrolled 89 women aged 22-55 years divided into HPV-positive with HSIL, HPV-positive without HSIL, and HPV-negative controls.
Measured melatonin levels in cervicovaginal fluid for all three groups.
Conducted the study at a single center and analyzed sociodemographic data.
No significant sociodemographic differences among the groups.
Melatonin levels were significantly lower in the group developing HSIL compared to both the group without HSIL and the control group.

Abstract

Objectives: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection establishes persistent infection in cervical epithelial cells, leading to Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. This process predisposes to the development of precancerous lesions. Melatonin is believed to play a role in this pathogenesis, as it can inhibit viral persistence by reducing oxidative damage and modulating the immune response. This study aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin levels in cervicovaginal fluid on HPV infection leading to High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL). Design: A total of 89 women aged 22–55 years were enrolled and divided into three groups: HPV-positive with HSIL (n=30), HPV-positive without HSIL (n=30), and HPV-negative controls (n=29)—prospective experimental melatonin marker study. Participants/Materials: Three groups were formed. The two HPV-positive groups were divided into those that developed HSIL and those that did not. The control group was then considered HPV and HSIL negative. Setting: The study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine,2025. Methods: Melatonin levels were measured in all three groups. A total of 89 people were evaluated in the study, with 30 patients in each of the two HPV-positive groups and 29 patients in the control group. Results: No sociodemographic difference was found between the groups (p>.05). Melatonin levels were lower in the group developing HSIL than in the group not developing HSIL and the control group (p<.05). Limitations: However, this study is limited by a single-time measurement, a relatively small sample size, and a single-center design, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. Conclusion: Low cervico-vaginal melatonin levels were significantly associated with HSIL progression, suggesting its potential role as a biomarker.

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