title: Hypothalamic digoxin, hemispheric chemical dominance, and sleep.
abstract: The isoprenoid path way produces endogenous digoxin, a substance that can regulate neurotransmitter and amino acid transport. Digoxin synthesis and neurotransmitter patterns were assessed in individuals with chronic insomnia. The patterns were compared in those with right hemispheric and left hemispheric dominance. The activity of HMG GoA reductase and serum levels of digoxin, magnesium, tryptophan catabolites, and tyrosine catabolites were measured in individuals with chronic insomnia and in individuals with differing hemispheric dominance. Digoxin synthesis was increased with upregulated tryptophan catabolism (increased levels of serotonin, strychnine, and nicotine), and downregulated tyrosine catabolism (decreased levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine) in those with chronic insomnia and right hemispheric chemical dominance. Digoxin synthesis was reduced with downregulated tryptophan catabolism (decreased levels of serotonin, strychnine, and nicotine) and upregulated tyrosine catabolism (increased levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and morphine) in those with normal sleep patterns and left hemispheric chemical dominance. Hypothalamic digoxin plays a central role in the regulation of sleep behavior. Hemispheric chemical dominance in relation to digoxin status is also crucial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. kvgnair@satyam.net.in
authors.forename: Ravi Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.forename: Parameswara Achutha
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurup
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood*; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000097:blood; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011106:Polyisoprenyl Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011106:Polyisoprenyl Phosphates; D014443:Tyrosine; D004077:Digoxin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D008274:Magnesium