Alpha-helical CRH exerts CRH agonistic effects on sleep-endocrine activity in humans.
CRH is known to enhance wakefulness and to reduce SWS. In addition, some but not all, studies suggest that CRH promotes REM sleep. Alpha-helical CRH exerts CRH-antagonistic effects in various studies. We studied its effect on sleep EEG and nocturnal secretion of ACTH, cortisol, GH (n = 7) in young normal male subjects. After administering the substance cortisol and ACTH levels were enhanced during the total night compared to placebo. We found an increase of the time spent awake for the first half. ACTH (2nd half of the night) and cortisol (total night and 1st half of the night) increased. The results of the present study correspond to a mixture of agonistic and antagonistic effects of alpha-helical CRH.
Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.
Katja
K
Held
Irina
I
Antonijevic
Harald
H
Murck
Heike
H
Künzel
Axel
A
Steiger
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000187:drug effects*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011863:Radioimmunoassay / Q000379:methods; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
D006727:Hormone Antagonists; C069206:alpha helical corticotropin-releasing hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone