Studies suggest that the synthetic peptide known as delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) was designed to control many systems and preserve natural biological processes. As its name suggests, DSIP may also have a role in regulating sleep and other physiological functions. Neurons, plasma, and other tissues contain DSIP, a nonapeptide consisting of nine amino acids. This neuropeptide has been proposed to produce delta sleep in animal research models, as well as to influence electrophysiological activity and to modulate neurotransmitter levels in the brain.
From 1963 to 1977, the DSIP peptide was initially researched and defined in detail by researchers. Although DSIP was first considered mainly for its potential as a sleep-inducing component, its potential for pain, sleep cycles, and withdrawal symptoms was quickly speculated. In 1984, a DSIP-like substance was also recovered at a nearly 90% rate from breast milk. It has been hypothesized that the digestive systems may readily absorb the milk proteins that are created spontaneously. However, the impact of DSIP-like substances on sleep remained unknown.
DSIP Peptide and Sleep Patterns
The effect of DSIP on cats’ sleeping habits was investigated in a recent research. Ten cats were separated into two groups; one was provided control and the other with DSIP, dependent on body weight. After presenting the peptide, the feline subjects were observed for 8 hours. The data suggested that total sleep time and slow wave sleep (SWS) cycle length appeared to increase significantly after the peptide presentation. The sleep-wake cycle’s slow-wave sleep (SWS) phase occurs after the REM (rapid-eye-movement) phase and before the REM phase. The impact of DSIP seemed to be quick as the quantity of SWS sleep rose during the first hour after the presentation. It looked like this surge may have held for 7 hours before leveling out in the 8th hour.
Six research models were given concentrations of DSIP in the morning that varied with their body weight as part of clinical research. Throughout the trial, all research models were exposed to close monitoring. Within two hours of peptide exposure, all subjects seemed to be experiencing increased sleep pressure, with a 59% increase. Stage 1 sleep (i.e., sleep onset) appeared to decrease, while stage 3 (i.e., deep sleep) seemed to increase.
DSIP Peptide and Hormones
In this experiment, rats were given DSIP to test the potential of the peptide on hormone production. Within 30 minutes, it was suggested that the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) seemed to be greatly enhanced; however, there was no apparent influence on the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Similar studies have purported that DSIP may boost somatotropin hormone production while decreasing corticotropin hormone levels. The study authors hypothesized that DSIP may influence hypothalamic hormonal secretion.
DSIP Peptide and Stress Hormones
This investigation examined DSIP’s potential on stress hormones, if any. Experimental stress was created in the rats in this research by tying their tails in a closed space overnight. These stress investigations lasted for five days and 12 hours. A total of six sets of rats were used, with one receiving a placebo and the others receiving DSIP. There were six groups in total:
- The control group
- The stress group
- The DSIP group an hour before the stress experiments
- The DSIP group 24 hours before the stress experiments
- The DSIP group an hour before the final stress experiment
- The DSIP group 24 hours before the last stress experiment
The rats were split into two groups; one was given a placebo, and the other was given DSIP at set intervals.
The research purported that DSIP was associated with increased stress-reducing chemicals in the hypothalamus and plasma, including endorphins and corticosterone. The DSIP peptide was suggested to have a favorable correlation to stress reduction, and its impact appeared stronger earlier in the day it was presented.
DSIP Peptide and Cancer Cells
108 female rats were randomly assigned to either a saline (control) or DSIP (peptide) group in research. From the time they were 3 months old, right up until they died of natural causes, all the mice were given either saline or DSIP. These substances were given for a total of 5 days every month. As implied by the findings, DSIP did not seem to affect the mice’s appetites but appeared to cause them to lose weight. The peptide has been hypothesized to increase lifespan by 24% compared to the control group and reduce chromosomal abnormalities in the bone marrow by 23%. The incidence of tumors in mice, especially those with leukemia or mammary gland carcinomas, seemed to reduce by 2.5 after DSIP presentation.
Characteristics of the DSIP Peptide
There are still many unanswered questions about this peptide that need to be investigated. While DSIP’s sleep-inducing characteristics were initially its sole hypothesized effect, further research has suggested a wide range of other probable impacts, such as on heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, and pain threshold.
Clinical studies involving research models undergoing chemotherapy suggest that the display of DSIP may mitigate the neurologic damage, especially in bioelectrical activity, considered to be caused by chemotherapy. As purported by another research study, DSIP presentation seemed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in over 90% of research models of opioid- and ethonol-linked dependency. It has been theorized that DSIP may be able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and generate a wide variety of brain responses. The half-life of the DSIP peptide is reduced from 30 minutes to 15 minutes by an aminopeptidase enzyme. The half-life of endogenous DSIP might be prolonged by binding with bigger proteins to create a complex that shields it from enzymatic lysis. Researchers have yet to pinpoint which protein it interacts with to bring forth its potential multifaceted features.
DSIP Peptide and the Brain
Researchers tested the potential of DSIP on male rats and speculated that it may increase activity in the brain’s cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. Brain NMDA receptors were proposed to be a likely mediator of the DSIP-induced increase in neuronal activity. Studies are currently continuing to establish the route of action by which DSIP may generate an effect on the neurological system.
Scientists interested in further studying DSIP peptides may purchase them from Biotech Peptides, the highest quality research peptide source available online.
References:
[i] National Center for Biotechnology Information. “PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3623358, Emideltide;delta Sleep Inducing Peptide” PubChem, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/3623358
[ii] Graf MV, Kastin AJ. Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): an update. Peptides. 1986 Nov-Dec;7(6):1165-87. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3550726/
[iii] Kovalzon VM, Strekalova TV. Delta sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP): a still unresolved riddle. J Neurochem. 2006 Apr;97(2):303-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16539679/
[iv] Graf MV, Hunter CA, Kastin AJ. Presence of delta-sleep-inducing peptide-like material in human milk. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1984 Jul;59(1):127-32. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6547144/
[v] Bondarenko TI, Maĭboroda EA, Mikhaleva II, Prudchenko IA. [Mechanism of delta-sleep inducing peptide geroprotective activity]. Adv Gerontol. 2011;24(1):80-92. Russian. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21809625/
[vi] Sudakov KV, Umriukhin PE, Rayevsky KS. Delta-sleep inducing peptide and neuronal activity after glutamate microiontophoresis: the role of NMDA-receptors. Pathophysiology. 2004 Oct;11(2):81-86. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15364118/
[vii] Schoenenberger GA. Characterization, properties and multivariate functions of delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP). Eur Neurol. 1984;23(5):321-45. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6548966/
[viii] Susić V, Masirević G, Totić S. The effects of delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) on wakefulness and sleep patterns in the cat. Brain Res. 1987 Jun 30;414(2):262-70. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3620931/
