Proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides and sleep in the rat. Part 2--Aminergic regulatory processes

Apomorphine (Apo), a D1/D2 Dopamine (DA) agonist, at high doses (500 micrograms/kg) induces a short-lasting insomnia, antagonized by a secondary injection of corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP, 10 ng); these effects are also observed with hypophysectomized (hypoX) rats. The administration of the serotonin (5-HT) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino-tetralin (8-OHDPAT, 0.3 mg/kg) induces also an insomnia which, unlike Apo, is followed by a significant PS rebound. CLIP, again, antagonizes the 8-OHDPAT-induced insomnia. Finally, Bromocriptine (5 mg/kg), an agonist for both DA and 5-HT, induces first an insomnia (antagonized by CLIP), followed by a PS rebound; these effects persist in hypoX rats.