Regulation of cerebral serotonin binding and metabolism in sleep-deprived rats

One night of total sleep deprivation promotes a state of generalized hyperalgesia: a surrogate pain model to study the relationship of insomnia and pain

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in chronic pain patients. Understanding their relationship has become an important research topic since poor sleep and pain are assumed to closely interact. To date, human experimental studies exploring the impact of sleep disruption/deprivation on pain perception have yielded conflicting results. This inconsistency may be due to the large heterogeneity of study populations and study protocols previously used. In addition, none of the previous studies investigated the entire spectrum of nociceptive modalities. To address these shortcomings, a standardized comprehensive quantitative sensory protocol was used in order to compare the somatosensory profile of 14 healthy subjects (6 female, 8 male, 23.5 ± 4.1 year; mean ± SD) after a night of total sleep deprivation (TSD) and a night of habitual sleep in a cross-over design. One night of TSD significantly increased the level of sleepiness (P<0.001) and resulted in higher scores of the State Anxiety Inventory (P<0.01). In addition to previously reported hyperalgesia to heat (P<0.05) and blunt pressure (P<0.05), study participants developed hyperalgesia to cold (P<0.01) and increased mechanical pain sensitivity to pinprick stimuli (P<0.05) but no changes in temporal summation. Paradoxical heat sensations or dynamic mechanical allodynia were absent. TSD selectively modulated nociception, since detection thresholds of non-nociceptive modalities remained unchanged. Our findings show that a single night of TSD is able to induce generalized hyperalgesia and to increase State Anxiety scores. In the future, TSD may serve as a translational pain model to elucidate the pathomechanisms underlying the hyperalgesic effect of sleep disturbances.

Total sleep deprivation increases extracellular serotonin in the rat hippocampus

Sleep deprivation exerts antidepressant effects after only one night of deprivation, demonstrating that a rapid antidepressant response is possible. In this report we tested the hypothesis that total sleep deprivation induces an increase in extracellular serotonin (5-HT) levels in the hippocampus, a structure that has been proposed repeatedly to play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Sleep deprivation was performed using the disk-over-water method. Extracellular levels of 5-HT were determined in 3 h periods with microdialysis and measured by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. Sleep deprivation induced an increase in 5-HT levels during the sleep deprivation day. During an additional sleep recovery day, 5-HT remained elevated even though rats displayed normal amounts of sleep. Stimulus control rats, which had been allowed to sleep, did not experience a significant increased in 5-HT levels, though they were exposed to a stressful situation similar to slee-deprived rats. These results are consistent with a role of 5-HT in the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation.

Pharmacological properties and SAR of new 1,4-disubstituted piperazine derivatives with hypnotic-sedative activity

Preparation, pharmacological properties and structure-activity relationships of new pyrimidyl-piperazine derivatives, exhibiting sedative and hypnotic activity in mice, are reported. The hypnotic activity of the compounds was comparable with that of zopiclone (the known hypnotic-sedative agent), their interaction with ethanol, however, being much lower. The obtained results suggested that zopiclone and pyrimidylpiperazines 2, 4 and 5 exerted their pharmacological activity through a different mechanism - zopiclone through the interaction with benzodiazepine receptors and compounds 2, 4 and 5 through an unidentified molecular target. The pharmacological properties of compound 3 could be the result of a mixed mechanism of action, combining the properties of zopiclone and those of compounds 2, 4 and 5. A common feature of zopiclone and compounds 2 and 3 was that, after their systemic administration, independently of mechanism of action, together with the hypnotic effect a reduction of the 5-HT turnover in the mouse brain was observed. Minimum structural requirements for the hypnotic activity were formulated. Structural considerations have shown that removing the alpha-carbonyl group did not influence the drug's ability to inhibit the locomotor activity. However, it did influence its ability to disturb motor coordination or abolish the righting reflex within non-lethal doses.

Platelet serotonin and interleukin-1 beta after sleep deprivation and recovery sleep in humans

Sleep deprivation (SD) represents a well-established therapy for major depression. Recent findings suggest that the antidepressive effects of sleep deprivation are mediated at least in part by pro-serotoninergic mechanisms. Furthermore, SD has been demonstrated to modify different host defense activities. We therefore investigated the serotonin (5-HT) content in platelets, platelet density distribution and 5-HT-induced IL-1 beta release from platelets in 10 healthy men before and after total SD (TSD) as well as after recovery sleep. Blood samples were drawn on 3 consecutive days at 7.00 h, 13.00 h, and 19.00 h, respectively. In addition, the psychophysiological parameters tiredness and wakefulness were assessed. After TSD the normal daily variation of IL-1 beta release with high morning levels and low evening levels was found to be significantly inverted. The release of IL-1 beta corresponded positively to the subjectively experienced tiredness of the probands. Analysis of platelet density distribution indicated a significant daily variation of low density platelets with low levels in the morning and high levels in the evening, which was absent after TSD. Our findings favour an increased pro-serotoninergic effect after TSD, which comprises respective variations of the host defense system, but is abolished by consecutive recovery sleep.

Alterations of blood platelet MAO-B activity and LSD-binding in humans after sleep deprivation and recovery sleep

Sleep deprivation (SD) is an effective, however short-lived, method of treatment of depression. Preliminary findings suggest that the antidepressive effect of sleep deprivation is mediated by serotoninergic (5-HT) mechanisms. We therefore assessed serotoninergic activity before and after total SD (TSD) as well as after the following night sleep by investigating platelet LSD-binding, MAO B-activity, and 5-HT-content as well as plasma norepinephnne (NE) in 10 healthy men (age: 27.4 +/- 2.8 years). Blood samples were drawn on three consecutive days at 0700, 1300 and 1900 h, respectively. After TSD, a significant increase of LSD-binding KD and Bmax as well as of MAO-B KM and plasma NE could be observed, which, however, vanished after consecutive night sleep. Our findings favour an increased serotoninergic transmission after TSD and thus support the hypothesis, that sleep deprivation exerts its antidepressant effects by pro-serotoninergic mechanisms.

Daily variations of functional parameters and density distribution in human blood platelets

Blood platelets play a critical role in the onset of myocardial infarction, which has been shown to have a circadian rhythmicity with a peak incidence in the morning. In an attempt to correlate platelet parameters with the outcome of cardiovascular diseases, we studied the daily (24-h) variation of the following platelet parameters: distribution pattern of functional heterogeneous platelet subpopulations; serotonin uptake; ketanserin binding; aggregation upon thrombin, serotonin, and ADP stimulation; and platelet count. Furthermore, we analyzed the tryptophan and serotonin concentrations in the blood samples. The percentage of less dense platelets, which represent the subpopulation with the highest preactivation, showed a rhythmicity period of 24 h and an acrophase at 21:18 h. The time course of intermediate and high density platelets was inverse to that of low density platelets. The serotonin uptake exhibited also a rhythmicity with a 24-h period. The acrophase was at 13:50 h. The aggregation curves were inverse to the ketanserin binding curves. The serotonin concentration exhibited a 12-h rhythmicity. The results obtained suggest that (a) changes in platelet activity are reflected by several parameters of platelet function that underlie daily variations; (b) the aggregation curves show a peak in the morning, with an additional peak in the afternoon; and (c) changes in the distribution pattern occur independently from variations in platelet functions like aggregation and serotonin binding.

Influence of partial sleep deprivation on the secretion of thyrotropin, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, and estradiol in healthy young women

The influence of partial sleep deprivation during the second half of the night on the secretion of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxin (T4), free T4 (fT4), triiodothyronine (T3), prolactin (PRL), growth hormone (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2) was investigated in 10 healthy young women. Blood samples were drawn at hourly intervals over a 64-hour period (i.e., 3 consecutive days and nights). During night 2, all subjects were awakened at 1:30 a.m. During partial sleep deprivation, TSH concentrations increased significantly and remained elevated throughout the following day. Levels of T4, fT4, and T3 were enhanced during the partial sleep deprivation hours only, and changes in these hormones seemed to be independent of TSH. PRL levels decreased, LH and E2 concentrations increased, and GH and FSH secretion remained unchanged during partial sleep deprivation. This pattern of change of different endocrine axes during partial sleep deprivation resembles those seen after total sleep deprivation, suggesting that similar neurochemical changes are induced by both forms of antidepressant therapy. The late evening GH peak occurred almost exclusively before the onset of sleep. Partial sleep deprivation did not influence the chronobiological profiles of any of the hormones investigated. The chemical changes underlying these alterations are speculated to involve enhancement of central norepinephrine and dopamine activity with a concomitant increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

On the daily variation in the beta-receptor-adenylate cyclase-cAMP-phosphodiesterase system in rat forebrain

In rat forebrain tissue of single rats beta-adrenoceptor density (Bmax) and affinity (Kd) were determined by saturation isotherms in receptor binding studies with the antagonist ligand (3H)-dihydroalprenolol at 8 different times of day in May. Rats were on a controlled 12L:12D photoperiod. In addition, the cAMP content, the formation of cAMP from ATP by the adenylate cyclase and the hydrolysis of the second messenger by the phosphodiesterase were determined at the same time points. No significant (ANOVA) daily variations were found in the total number of 3H-DHA binding sites (Bmax) nor in the affinity (Kd). In contrast, basal cAMP content as well as basal formation and hydrolysis of cAMP displayed significant rhythms. The peak value in cAMP was at the beginning of light. At that time the daily trough value in cAMP formation was found. Hydrolysis of cAMP by the phosphodiesterase displayed a 12-hr rhythm with trough values occurring at the early light and early dark period. The results demonstrate pronounced rhythmic changes in basal formation, content and hydrolysis of cAMP which are, however, not paralleled by changes in receptor number and/or affinity in the same tissue.

Circadian rhythm of serotonin binding in rat brain--I. Effect of the light-dark cycle

High affinity serotonin binding to rat brain membranes showed a circadian rhythm with minimal binding at 1000 and a maximal binding at 0000. Brain serotonin levels were almost inverse to the rhythm of serotonin binding. Under reverse light-dark conditions, lights on from 1900 to 0700, a significant phase shift in serotonin binding and concentration of about 8-10 hr was found. The adaptation of the rats to the inverse light-dark cycle was ascertained by plasma ACTH and corticosterone assay.

Circadian rhythm of serotonin binding in rat brain--II. Influence of sleep deprivation and imipramine

Sleep deprivation (SD) modified the circadian rhythm of specific high affinity serotonin (5-HT) binding to rat brain membranes. In control rats a 24-hr rhythm was evident with a trough at 1000-1200 and a nadir at 0000. During the last 26 hr of a 49 hr SD period, trough and peak values were delayed by 4-6 hr. The 24-hr mean binding was significantly (P less than 0.001) different from that of controls. If sleep deprivation was followed by recovery sleep (RS), the normal rhythm of 5-HT binding was obtained already within 1 hr after SD. The effects of SD and RS were ascertained by plasma ACTH and corticosterone assay. No significant change in the hormone rhythms were observed through the mean plasma level of ACTH and corticosterone were enhanced to about 180 and 150%, respectively. Chronic treatment with the antidepressant imipramine resulted in a decrease of the 24-hr mean 5-HT binding by about 50% and a 2-hr delay of peak and trough values. Imipramine treatment decreased the peak value of 5-HT concentration at 1000 to about 65% and appears to abolish the rhythm of 5-HT concentration.

Characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine binding sites in the plasma membrane of pig blood platelets

Plasma membranes were isolated from pig platelets after glycerol facilitated lysis by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The purity of the membrane fraction was followed by electron microscopy, gel electrophoresis and analysis of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) and phosphodiesterases (EC 3.1.4.1). (3H)5-Hydroxytryptamine ([3H]5-HT) was bound to two saturable binding sites of the membranes. The KD value for the high affinity sites was 0.85 nM and for the low affinity sites 0.48 microM. With the exception of tryptamines little or no (3H)5-HT was displaced by serotonin antagonists and uptake inhibitors suggesting another type of binding than that of 5-HT1. Apparently, enhancement of binding in the presence of Na+ was due to stimulation of an uptake process. Binding of (3H)ketanserin and (3H)LSD to pig platelet membranes showed the characteristics of 5-HT2 binding sites previously identified in rat brain. Since ketanserin inhibited 5-HT induced aggregation of pig platelets (IC50 = 14.2 nM), the ketanserin binding sites can be classified as 5-HT2 receptors. The functional properties of these binding sites and their density in pig platelets as compared with brain membranes may motivate studies on 5-HT2 receptors in pig platelets as models for those in nerve endings.