Effects of branched-chain amino acids spplementation on expression of TPH mRNA in rats

  Objective   To explore the effects of branched chain amino acids(BCAA)supplementation on the expression of TPH mRNA in the brain stem of rats subjected to sleep deprivaton(SD).

  Methods   Sleep deprivation was induced in male Sprague Dawlay rats by employing flower pottechnique.Fifty six rats were divided into seven groups randomly: C(control group), 24h SD(being sleep depr ived for 24 hours), 24 h SDB(being sleep depr ived for 24 hours and fed fodderenriched with BCAA), 48h SDB, 48h SDB, 72 h SD, 72 h SDB.

  Results   Expressions of TPH mRNA in the brain stem in 24 h and 48 h sleep deprived groups were not significantly different from that in the control group(P > 0.05), but increased sig nificantly after 72 h sleep deprivation(P < 0.01).Expressions of TPH mRNA in the groups supplemented with BCAA were no significantly changed compared with the groups without BCAA supplementaton.

  Conclusion   72 hour sleep deprivation enhanced the expressons of TPH mRNA in rat brain stem; oral supplementation of BACC could not alter the change of the expressions of TPH mRNA in the brain stem of rats sbjected to sleep deprivation.