[Regulation of SWS by hormones and cytokines]

SWS is the most important component of sleep. (1) VLPO-TMN seems to generate sleep and wakefulness. The rostral basal forebrain, which was defined as PGD2-SPZ, may be involved in regulation of sleep. (2) PGD2 promotes sleep, especially SWS, while PGE2 prolongs wakefulness and depresses both SWS and REMS. (3) During SWS the activation of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortic axis is inhibited, while the release of growth hormone is accelerated. The soporific effects of melatonin may be attributed to its hypothermic effects. (4) Interleukin-1 prolongs sleep, especially SWS, which seems to be mediated by PGD2. Tumor necrosis factor (TFN) may promote SWS through 5-HT and its receptor. Therefore, the development of new hypnotics, which selectively prolong SWS, might follow the following ways: PGD2 and chemicals which act like PGD2; immuno-regulators; substances with effects on 5-HT receptors; hormone, such as melatonin and growth hormone, which play roles in the physiological regulation on sleep-wakefulness.