Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of zinc-induced sleep

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K18698
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Food science
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Yoan Cherasse 筑波大学, 国際統合睡眠医科学研究機構, 研究員 (60544319)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: sleep / zinc / actigraphy / chemogenetics

Outline of Final Research Achievements

First, we examined the effect of zinc-rich and astaxanthin-containing food on sleep in humans. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel group trial of 120 healthy subjects and recorded their night activity by actigraphy for 12 weeks.
The examination demonstrated that eating zinc-rich food improved sleep onset latency as well as improved the sleep efficiency. Based on the results, we developed a food supplement to promote sleep, and Fujifilm Healthcare Corporation released it on the market as “Oxybarrier Suttone Rich”.
In addition, we performed experiments on mice to understand the molecular mechanisms of the examination, and identified a population of neurons in the brain which are activated by zinc administration. Stimulating these neurons permitted to increase the amount of sleep similarly to zinc administration.

Free Research Field

neuroscience

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The annual economic loss to Japanese economy due to sleep disorders is equivalent to 2.92% of the GDP, costing approx. 15兆円. Optimizing the effect of zinc-induced sleep will allow us to develop food supplements specifically designed to counteract sleep restriction and improve life quality.