Somnogenic cytokines with special reference to interleukin-1.
Cytokines (CKs) are involved in the mechanisms of sleep induction, and, in particular, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha seem to play an important role in the slow-wave sleep. Here are reported two cases of normal sleep and altered sleep in which plasma levels of IL-1 beta have been determined. In the subject with a normal sleep a dramatic increase of this CK has been observed, while beta-endorphin levels were reduced. In the light of these findings, the role of sleep in the host protection is discussed.
Covelli
V
V
Clnica Neurologica E, Università di Napoli, Italy.
Cannuscio
B
B
Munno
I
I
Altamura
M
M
Decandia
P
P
Pellegrino
N M
NM
Maffione
A B
AB
Savastano
S
S
Lombardi
G
G
D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1