Six-hour selective REM sleep deprivation increases the expression of the galanin gene in the hypothalamus of rats.
The effect of short-term selective REM sleep deprivation (RSD) on the gene expression of galanin in the rat hypothalamus was examined using in situ hybridization histochemistry. Monitoring an electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) on an on-line computer screen, as the RSD rats entered REM sleep, they were gently stroked on their backs using a brush to wake them during the RSD period. Galanin mRNA levels in the preoptic area (POA) were significantly increased by RSD for a period of 6 h. RSD had no significant effect on the mRNA levels of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), oxytocin (OXT) or orexins. These results suggest that 6-h selective RSD may not be sufficient to induce the activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis, and that the expression of the galanin gene in the hypothalamus reacts more readily against the loss of REM sleep in comparison to other hypothalamic neuropeptides such as arginine vasopressin, oxytocin and orexins.
Fujihara
Hiroaki
H
Department of Integrative Physiology, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
Serino
Ryota
R
Ueta
Yoichi
Y
Sei
Hiroyoshi
H
Morita
Yusuke
Y
D000818:Animals; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin / Q000235:genetics; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D019004:Galanin / Q000235:genetics*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics; D000068797:Orexins; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000235:genetics; D011301:Preoptic Area / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000235:genetics; D013997:Time Factors; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D000068797:Orexins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001127:Arginine Vasopressin; D010121:Oxytocin; D019004:Galanin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone