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Cited by 37Stress Responses and CortisolRegulation of Appetite and ObesitySleep and Wakefulness Research

Early morning rise in hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal activity: A role for maintaining the brain's energy balance

Benedict, Christian, Kern, Werner, Schmid, Sebastian M., Schultes, Bernd, Born, Jan, Hallschmid, Manfred·2009·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.10.010
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Abstract

A profound rise in secretory activity in the early morning hours hallmarks the circadian regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress axis. Functions and mechanisms underlying this regulation are barely understood. We tested the hypothesis that the early morning rise in HPA axis activity originates in part from a negative energy balance due to nocturnal fasting and concomitant increases in cerebral glucose demands. According to a 2x2 design, healthy men were infused with glucose (4.5mg/kgmin, 2300-0700h) and saline, respectively, during nocturnal sleep (n=9) or wakefulness (n=11). Circulating concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, glucose, insulin, and leptin were measured and food consumption in the next morning was assessed. Independent of sleep, glucose infusion reduced levels of ACTH (P<0.01) and cortisol (P<0.02) during the second night half. In the Sleep group, glucose infusion enhanced rapid eye movement (REM) sleep at the expense of sleep stage 2 (each P<0.05). Glucose infusion increased leptin levels in both groups (P<0.005) and reduced morning food intake in the Wake (P<0.02) but not in the Sleep group (P>0.46). Our findings support the view that increasing energy demands of the brain towards the end of the night essentially contribute to the early morning rise in HPA axis activity. Sleep is not critically involved in this glucose-glucocorticoid feedback loop but may reduce the brain's sensitivity to the anorexigenic effect of enhanced glucose supply.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.10.010

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  • An enteric route of glucose delivery appears critical because overnight iv glucose blunts the normal early-morning increase in cortisol secretion.

    “Moreover, an enteric route of glucose delivery appears critical because overnight iv glucose actually blunts the normal early-morning increase in cortisol secretion (40).”

    From Glucose ingestion selectively amplifies ACTH and cortisol secretory-burst mass and enhances their joint synchrony in healthy men. (2011) · cites this paper as [40]

  • Increasing energy demands of the brain toward the end of the night essentially contribute to the early morning peak in HPA axis activity.

    “In a recent study, nocturnal glucose administration in young healthy males significantly reduced the early morning rise in ACTH and cortisol concentrations, regardless of whether the subjects were asleep or awake, supporting the view that increasing energy demands of the brain toward the end of the night essentially contribute to the early morning peak in the HPA axis activity [26].”

    From Impact of Sleep and Its Disturbances on Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity (2010) · cites this paper as [26]

  • Nocturnal glucose administration in young healthy males significantly reduced the early morning rise in ACTH and cortisol concentrations, regardless of whether the subjects were asleep or awake.

    “In a recent study, nocturnal glucose administration in young healthy males significantly reduced the early morning rise in ACTH and cortisol concentrations, regardless of whether the subjects were asleep or awake, supporting the view that increasing energy demands of the brain toward the end of the night essentially contribute to the early morning peak in the HPA axis activity [26].”

    From Impact of Sleep and Its Disturbances on Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity (2010) · cites this paper as [26]

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Authors
Benedict, C., Kern, W., Schmid, S. M., Schultes, B., Born, J., & Hallschmid, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Lübeck (DE)
  • Kantonsspital St. Gallen (CH)
Corresponding author
Benedict, Christian
ORCID
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-04
Volume
34
Issue
3
Pages
455-462
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2008.10.010
OpenAlex
W2063516826
Cited by
37
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI
1.19
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, circadian rhythm, glucose infusion, REM sleep, stage 2 sleep, ACTH, leptin, insulin, dietary intake, glucocorticoid feedback, sleep-wake states
MeSH terms
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone, Adult, Brain, Circadian Rhythm, Double-Blind Method, Eating, Energy Metabolism, Glucose, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System, Insulin, Male, Pituitary-Adrenal System, Placebos, Sleep, Cross-Over Studies, Leptin

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