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Free keywords:
CRH, Sleep, Sleep EEG, Cortisol, GH
Abstract:
We reported previously that repetitive intravenous injections of
corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) around sleep onset prompt
depression-like changes in certain sleep and endocrine activity
parameters (e.g. decrease of slow-wave sleep during the second half of
the night, blunted growth hormone peak, elevated cortisol concentration
during the first half of the night). Furthermore a sexual dimorphism of
the sleep-endocrine effects of the hormones growth hormone-releasing
hormone and ghrelin was observed. In the present placebo-controlled
study we investigated the effect of pulsatile administration of 4 x 50
mu g CRH on sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) and nocturnal cortisol and
GH concentration in young healthy women. After CRH compared to placebo,
intermittent wakefulness increased during the total night and the sleep
efficiency index decreased. During the first third of the night, REM
sleep and stage 2 sleep increased and sleep stage 3 decreased. Cortisol
concentration was elevated throughout the night and during the first and
second third of the night. GH secretion remained unchanged. Our data
suggest that after CRH some sleep and endocrine activity parameters show
also depression-like changes in healthy women. These changes are more
distinct in women than in men. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights
reserved.
