Chronic Sleep Deprivation Accelerates Ejaculation by Shifting Brain Tryptophan Metabolism Toward the Kynurenine Pathway in Male Rats
Zhi Cao, Tianle Zhu, Yunlong Ge, Yao Jiang, Yuanyuan Shen, Peng Yang, Yukuai Ma, Zifang Zhang, Pan Gao, Xiansheng ZhangABSTRACT
Background
Although previous studies have indicated that sleep deprivation may affect ejaculatory regulation, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood.
Objectives
This study aimed to determine whether sleep deprivation disrupts tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and impairs ejaculatory control through modulation of tryptophan hydroxylase‐2 (TPH2) and indoleamine‐2,3‐dioxygenase‐1 (IDO1) expression.
Materials and Methods
Male rats with normal ejaculatory function were randomly allocated to four groups: chronic sleep deprivation (CSD), CSD combined with subcutaneous injection of the IDO1 inhibitor 1‐methyl‐D, L‐tryptophan (1‐MT), CSD combined with physiological saline, and control. The expression levels of IDO1 and TPH2 in brain tissue were detected using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure concentrations of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), and serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) in brain tissue.
Results
Rats exposed to CSD or CSD plus saline exhibited significantly shorter ejaculation latency (EL) than controls; however, 1‐MT administration increased latency. The CSD and CSD + saline groups had the lowest TPH2 expression and the highest IDO1 expression in the brain. Although the expression levels of IDO1 in the CSD + 1‐MT group did not significantly decrease, TPH2 levels were partially restored. According to correlation analysis, EL was adversely connected with Kyn pathway activity, which was shown by an increased Kyn/Trp ratio.
Discussion
These findings indicate that sleep deprivation accelerates ejaculation, possibly through activation of the Kyn metabolic pathway. Increased IDO1 and reduced TPH2 expression in the brain may hyperactivate the Kyn pathway, thereby accelerating ejaculation. Inhibition of IDO1 partially reversed this alteration and prolonged ejaculatory latency.
Conclusion
This work provides new insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of acquired premature ejaculation (APE) caused by sleep deprivation and suggests prospective treatment strategies by identifying a critical role for brain IDO1.