SPS-B, a physiological sleep regulator, from the brainstems of sleep-deprived rats, identified as oxidized glutathione.
We previously reported regarding the "sleep-promoting substance (SPS)," which was isolated from the brainstem extract of sleep-deprived rats, the existence of multiple active components including uridine and SPS-B. Intracerebroventricular infusion of crude SPS-B exhibited significant enhancing effects on both slow wave sleep and paradoxical sleep in unrestrained rats. Further investigation of SPS-B has resulted in its final identification as oxidized glutathione (GSSG, gamma-glutamylcysteinylglycine disulfide). Authentic GSSG similarly administered in rats also significantly enhanced sleep which was indistinguishable from normal physiological sleep. We propose GSSG as a candidate endogenous sleep substance.
Komoda
Y
Y
Division of Molecular Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Honda
K
K
Inoue
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D006020:Glycopeptides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D051381:Rats; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*
D006020:Glycopeptides; C042995:sleep-promoting factor B; D005978:Glutathione