Sleep and the GH/IGF-1 axis: Consequences and countermeasures of sleep loss/disorders

• Published in: Sleep medicine reviews Vol. 49; p. 101223
• Main Authors: Chennaoui, Mounir, Léger, Damien, Gomez-Merino, Danielle
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2020
• Subjects: Cognition - physiology; Cognitive capacities; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; Countermeasures; Exercise; GH/IGF-1 axis; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - pharmacology; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - therapeutic use; OSA; Sleep - physiology; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - complications; Sleep disorders; Sleep loss; Sleep Wake Disorders - complications; Cognitive capacities; Countermeasures; Sleep disorders; Sleep loss; GH/IGF-1 axis; OSA
• ISSN: 1087-0792; 1532-2955; 1532-2955
• DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2019.101223

This article presents an up-to-date review of the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding the effect of sleep on the anabolic growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1) axis. This axis is involved in learning and memory and neuroprotection at the central level, and in the crosstalk between sleep and the immune system, with respect to its anti-inflammatory properties. We also aim to provide insight into the consequences of sleep loss on cognitive capacities in healthy individuals and patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), regarding the mechanistic association with the GH/IGF-1 axis. Finally, this review examines the inflammatory/endocrine pathways that are affected by sleep loss, and which may consequently interact with the GH/IGF-1 axis. The deleterious effects of sleep loss include fatigue, and can cause several adverse age-dependent health outcomes. It is therefore important to improve our understanding of the fundamental physiology underlying these effects in order to better apply non-pharmacological countermeasures (e.g., sleep strategies, exercise training, continuous positive airway pressure therapy) as well as pharmacological solutions, so as to limit the deleterious consequences of sleep loss/disorders.