Now the neural mechanisms that regulate the release in the brain of the growth hormone during sleep are now clearer.
An adequate quantity of restaurateur and undisturbed sleep is essential to build healthy bones and muscles: the parents of children and teenagers know in full growth explosion and professional sportsmen. But how does sleep favor growth?
A search published on CelIt deepens the neural mechanism at the basis of the link between the correct rest and the release, by the brain, of the growth hormone.
Sleep that you become high
Growth hormone or somatotropin (Growth HormoneGH) is a protein produced by the hypofisis (a small gland at the base of the brain) which has the task of building fabrics and organs.
In addition to contributing to the control mechanisms, by acting on bones, cartilages and muscles, it also regulates the metabolism of fats, sugars and proteins in the organs of adults.
It is not constantly produced: its major release peaks take place during sleep, and in particular in the deep sleep phase of the early hours, non-Rem sleep.
Sonni supervised
So far the growth hormone levels were simply evaluated with blood analysis, but the functioning of the basic neural circuit that regulates its release was not known. Researchers from the University of California – Berkeley studied the activity of the centers of the hypothalamus in mice that slept:
The hypothalamus is a small brain structure that directs the activity of the hypophysis and which regulates the release of hormones, including that of growth.
Scientists discovered that the two hormones that control, with a delicate and continuous game of balance, the production of the growth hormone (the GHRH or Somatotropic release hormonewhich promotes its release, and somatostatin, which inhibits its release) – act differently during REM and non -Rem sleep to stimulate the liberation of this substance.
They also observed that growth hormone regulates the activity of the locus coeruleus, a nucleus of nerve cells in the brain trunk that controls many physiological mechanisms and which is involved in the attention, excitement and searching for novelty.
Virtuous circle
“Sleep stimulates the release of the growth hormone, and the growth hormone acts in turn to regulate the vigil, and this balance is essential for growth, repair and metabolic health” explains the neuroscientist Daniel Silverman, among the authors of the study.
During sleep, the growth hormone released slowly accumulates in the locus coeruleus, promoting the state of vigil; When you are awake and the locus coeruleus reaches excessive activation levels (and is therefore superimposed), it promotes the state of sleepiness.
This mechanism means that – ideally, and when sleep is sufficient and quality – the right release (neither too, nor too little) of growth hormone is always guaranteed.
Effects on attention
Research suggests that a correct balance in the processes of release of growth hormone may have benefits that exist from growth, for example on attention and cognition.
A bad regulation of the neurons of the locus coeruleus is in fact implicated in various psychiatric and neurological disorders. “The growth hormone not only helps to develop muscles and bones and reduce the adipose tissue, but can also have cognitive benefits, favoring the general level of excitement when awakening” concludes Xinlu Ding, the first author of the study.
