Sleep-deprived mice show altered cytokine production manifest by perturbations in serum IL-1ra, TNFa, and IL-6 levels

Serum cytokine and chemokine levels were examined in mice following 36 It of sleep deprivation, or after exposure alpha a known physical stressor (rotational stress). Significant changes in inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IL-1beta, TNFalpha, IL-1ra, IL-6, and MIP-1beta, MCP-1) were observed following each manipulation, but qualitative and quantitative differences were seen. Interestingly, only physical stress was associated with measured increases in serum corticosterone levels, and with independent evidence (using in vitro immune allo stimulation) for a generalized immunosuppression secondary to the experimental manipulation. Our data suggest that altered cytokine production following sleep pen turbation occurs by a different mechanism from that (HPA axis) commonly attributed to stress per se. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.