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Nocturnal increase in plasma cGMP levels in humans
I V Zhdanova1, M Simmons, J N Marcus
1Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge 02139, USA.
Journal of Biological Rhythms
|August 14, 1999
Summary
Human plasma cyclic guanosine 3
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Chronobiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Circadian rhythms influence cellular signaling pathways.
- Cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) is a key second messenger.
- Melatonin, a pineal hormone, affects cGMP levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diurnal pattern of human plasma cGMP.
- To correlate plasma cGMP levels with plasma melatonin.
- To understand the role of cGMP in circadian physiology.
Main Methods:
- Hourly plasma sampling over 20 hours in 9 healthy adults (>50 years).
- Measurement of plasma cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) levels.
- Controlled conditions minimizing physical activity during daytime.
Main Results:
- Plasma cGMP levels significantly increased during nocturnal sleep compared to daytime wakefulness.
- The onset of the nocturnal cGMP rise varied individually, typically starting after bedtime.
- No significant correlation was found between nocturnal plasma melatonin and cGMP levels.
Conclusions:
- Human plasma cGMP exhibits a diurnal pattern, with elevated levels during sleep.
- The temporal dynamics of nocturnal cGMP rise are subject-specific.
- Melatonin's direct correlation with nocturnal plasma cGMP was not established in this study.