[Molecular mechanisms of insomnia].

Abstract

Prostaglandin (PG) D2 and adenosine are potent endogenous somnogens and their sleep-inducing mechanisms are well characterized. We examined the contribution of these somnogens to physiological sleep by the combination of pharmacological tools and gene-knockout (KO) mice. Complete insomnia was observed in wild-type mice after an intraperitoneal injection of SeCl4, an inhibitor of PGD synthase (PGDS), or caffeine, an antagonist of adenosine A2A receptors. The SeCl4-induced insomnia was not observed in PGDS- or DP1 receptor-KO mice and the caffeine-induced insomnia, in A(2A) receptor-KO mice. A DP1 antagonist, ONO-4127Na, reduced sleep of rats by 30% during infusion into the subarachnoid space of the basal forebrain. These results indicate that the PGD2/ adenosine system plays a critical role in the regulation of physiological sleep.

• Authors: Yoshihiro Urade
• Journal: Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine (Nihon Rinsho) Vol. 67 Issue 8 Pg. 1489-93 (Aug 2009) ISSN: 0047-1852 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 19768929 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adenosine
• Prostaglandin D2

Topics

• Adenosine (physiology)
• Animals
• Gene Knockout Techniques
• Mice
• Prostaglandin D2 (physiology)
• Sleep (physiology)
• Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders (physiopathology)