Nitric oxide sleep regulation

T. (2003a). The role of nitric oxide in regulation of sleep need. J. Neurophysiol. 26, (suppl), A32-3. 

Matsumura, H., Gerashchenko, D., Satoh, S. et al. (1995). Prostaglandin D2 and nitric oxide key factors underlying the regulation of slow-wave sleep and paradoxical sleep in the rat brain. Sleep Res. 24A, 134. 

Matsumura, H., Maeda, T., Tokunaga, Y. et al. (1999). Evidence that nitric oxide acting in a diencephalic region is involved in the regulation of paradoxical sleep in rats. Sleep Res. Online 2 (Suppl. 1), 63. 

Monti, J. M., Hantos, H., Ponzoni, A., Monti, D. Banchero, P. (1999). Role of nitric oxide in sleep regulation effects of L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, on sleep in rats. Behav. Brain Res. 100, 197-205. 

Ribeiro, A. C. Kapas, L. (2005). Day- and nighttime injection of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor elicits opposite sleep responses in rats. Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol. 289, R521-31. 

Nitric oxide has been implicated in sleep regulation. NO concentrations undergo state-dependent modulation during the sleep-wake cycle in the cortex (Burlet Cespuglio, 1997) and thalamus (Williams et al., 1997). Intraperitoneal,... 

Pro-inflammatory cytokines (see p. 432 et seq.) can also induce sleep, the effect depending on the concentration of the cytokine and the time of day. The effect on the sleep profile (increased non-REM and decreased REM sleep) appears to depend on the increased synthesis of prostaglandin D2 and nitric oxide which then alter the circadian rhythm. It is also known that some pro-inflammatory cytokines can affect the reuptake of 5-HT which plays an important role in regulating the sleep-wake profile. The endogenous fatty acid, oleamide, can cause sedation and induce sleep by activating cannabinoid receptors but also by potentiating the action of benzodiazepines on their receptor sites. Whether such action is of physiological relevance is presently unknown. 

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