AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 262, Issue 3 E295-E300, Copyright © 1992 by American Physiological Society
Vasopressin regulates human sleep by reducing rapid-eye-movement sleep
J. Born, C. Kellner, D. Uthgenannt, W. Kern and H. L. Fehm
Abteilung Psychophysiologie, Universitat Bamberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
In two double-blind experiments, effects of intravenous infusion of
arginine vasopressin (AVP) on sleep were evaluated in 2 groups of 10 men
(20-35 yr). In experiment I, subjects were tested on two occasions, during
which they received either placebo or 0.33 IU/h AVP. In experiment II, on
three different occasions, subjects received either placebo or 0.66 or 0.99
IU/h AVP. Infusions were administered between 2200 and 0700 h. Nocturnal
plasma AVP concentrations were close to the upper limit of the normal
physiological range during 0.66 IU/h AVP (16.6 +/- 2.2 pg/ml) but markedly
exceeded this range during 0.99 IU/h AVP (25.0 +/- 1.6 pg/ml). Results
indicate primary effects of AVP on rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, with
moderate reductions in REM sleep during 0.33 IU/h AVP (averaging -10.5%)
and with substantial reductions in REM sleep (-24.0%) during 0.66 IU/h AVP.
During 0.99 IU/h AVP the effect did not further increase (-24.4%). Less
consistent effects of AVP were an increase in stage 2 sleep and in time
awake. Effects of AVP were not mediated by changes in cortisol or blood
pressure. Results suggest AVP to participate in REM sleep regulation under
normal physiological conditions.
