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Sleep research has been one of the most pressing concerns for scientists and researchers. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide, or DSIP for short, is one of the recent peptides developed to further scientific progress in mitigating issues related to sleep dysregulation. Studies suggest this peptide may induce sleep by increasing objective sleep quality.
What Exactly is DSIP Peptide?
The delta sleep-inducing peptide, often known as DSIP, is a naturally occurring neuropeptide first recovered from the cerebral venous blood of a rabbit’s brain when the rabbit was in a slow-wave sleep state between 1970 and 1980.
The hypothalamus of the rabbits is where DSIP is first generated, and it is from there that it is transported to its many target areas throughout the central nervous system [i].
After more research, the scientists could identify the brain regions, such as the thalamus, cerebral cortex, and cerebellum, with the highest concentrations of DSIP.
Biochemically speaking, DSIP comprises nine different amino acids, and its order is as follows: (Trp-Ala-Gly-Gly-Asp-Ala-Ser-Gly-Glu). It is suggested that DSIP may quickly penetrate the blood-brain barrier and start the process responsible for sleep onset.
How Does the DSIP Peptide Work?
Although the precise mechanism of action is not yet completely known, and it is difficult to frame it acceptably, limited studies suggest that DSIP may function as a powerful neuromodulation compound by altering many neuronal systems, including GABA and glutamate. This is even though the specific mechanism of action is still not completely understood. DSIP, on the other hand, may also work as a neuromodulator, which is an intriguing theory considering that most sleep-inducing substances function as sedatives.
Although there are contradictory study findings, one consistent observation is that the primary potential of DSIP may be to activate the sleep onset pathway. Several research findings suggest that DSIP aided test subjects in exhibiting increased slow-wave sleep and reducing the time from consciousness to sleep [ii].
Findings imply that DSIP may lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms after long-term analgesic exposure in addition to this sleep-inducing potential.
It has been suggested that DSIP may cause changes in the blood levels of various hormones, including corticotropin, somatostatin, serotonin, and others
Studies conducted on rats further suggest that DSIP may be capable of causing powerful anti-oxidant effects and improving immune system function.
In addition, some data points to the purported function of DSIP in increasing the blood flow to certain brain regions, promoting healing and positive effects.
Even though many of these processes are only hypotheses derived from limited studies on animal models, more extrapolation is necessary to understand the precise pharmacodynamics of DSIP.
DSIP Peptide Properties
Several research findings suggest that DSIP may encourage sleep and induces the start of sleep triggers.
Researchers speculate that subjects exhibiting severe chronic insomnia may achieve positive results from DSIP’s involvement in changing sleep patterns and sustaining a shorter sleep latency. This is the most ground-breaking potential of DSIP [iii].
One of the smaller trials suggested a significant decrease in the number of painful episodes and an improvement in overall mood and relaxed behavior. This was also speculated to be the research case conducted on rats, suggesting that DSIP may have had a powerful analgesic effect. This may be bolstered by the fact that DSIP may possibly alleviate withdrawal symptoms [iv].
In addition, it has been suggested that DSIP may minimize the effects of stress by regulating metabolic abnormalities brought on by it. Scientists hypothesize that DSIP not only functions as a powerful anti-oxidant substance but may also ensure that there is always an adequate supply of oxygen for oxidative phosphorylation [v]. These potential actions were seen in the mitochondria of the rat brain, and as a result, researchers speculate that DSIP may have the potential to be studied within the context of MI and strokes.
The findings of some of the more limited investigations suggest that DSIP may also bring hypertension blood pressure down to normal levels.
The biochemical examination of cerebral fluid from models exhibiting depressive behaviors suggests reduced levels of DSIP. It has been suggested that DSIP may affect serotonin levels and its metabolites, which may mitigate depressive brain activity [vi]. This finding is rather intriguing.
Even though it’s only a theory, DSIP has been posited by research teams to potentially improve immunological function, reduce the likelihood of dysplasia, and reduce the number of physiological issues that may develop, particularly within the context of sleep dysregulation and stress.
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References
[i] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/delta-sleep-inducing-peptidev
[ii] Graf MV, Kastin AJ. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1984 Spring;8(1):83-93. doi: 10.1016/0149-7634(84)90022-8. PMID: 6145137.
[iii] Schneider-Helmert D. DSIP in insomnia. Eur Neurol. 1984;23(5):358-63. doi: 10.1159/000115714. PMID: 6391925.
[iv] Nakamura A, Nakashima M, Sakai K, Niwa M, Nozaki M, Shiomi H. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) stimulates the release of immunoreactive Met-enkephalin from rat lower brainstem slices in vitro. Brain Res. 1989 Feb 27;481(1):165-8. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(89)90498-8. PMID: 2706459.
[v] Khvatova EM, Samartzev VN, Zagoskin PP, Prudchenko IA, Mikhaleva II. Delta sleep inducing peptide (DSIP): effect on respiration activity in rat brain mitochondria and stress protective potency under experimental hypoxia. Peptides. 2003 Feb;24(2):307-11. doi: 10.1016/s0196-9781(03)00040-8. PMID: 12668217.
[vi] Tsuno N, Besset A, Ritchie K. Sleep and depression. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005 Oct;66(10):1254-69. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v66n1008. PMID: 16259539.
