Abstract: In certain aspects, the preproghrelin gene, but not the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) is required for normal integration of thermoregulation and sleep in mice. Particular aspects provide methods for modulation of thermoregulation and other ghrelin-mediated conditions (e.g., reduction of appetite or food intake, reduction of body weight or treatment of obesity, reduction of body temperature or induction of hypothermia, etc.), comprising administration of an inhibitor of ghrelin expression, and including, e.g., siRNA inhibition for treatment of obesity and for modulation of thermoregulation (e.g., induction of hypothermia in surgical settings benefiting from same). Additionally provided are methods for reducing body temperature or induction of hypothermia, comprising administration to a mammalian subject in need thereof an amount of an anti-obestatin antibody agent sufficient to reduce body temperature or induce hypothermia. Further methods comprise administration of a ghrelin peptide antagonist.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the preproghrelin gene, but not the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) is required for normal integration of thermoregulation and sleep in mice. Particular aspects provide methods for modulation of thermoregulation and other ghrelin-mediated conditions (e.g., reduction of appetite or food intake, reduction of body weight or treatment of obesity, reduction of body temperature or induction of hypothermia, etc.), comprising administration of an inhibitor of ghrelin expression, and including, e.g., siRNA inhibition for treatment of obesity and for modulation of thermoregulation (e.g., induction of hypothermia in surgical settings benefiting from same). Additionally provided are methods for reducing body temperature or induction of hypothermia, comprising administration to a mammalian subject in need thereof an amount of an anti-obestatin antibody agent sufficient to reduce body temperature or induce hypothermia. Further methods comprise administration of a ghrelin peptide antagonist.

Abstract: A method of improving sleep in a mammal having a sleep disorder is disclosed. The method includes identifying the mammal having a sleep disorder and then administering Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-2274, Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-2132, Lactobacillus helveticus CNCM I-2275, Streptococcus thermophilus CNCM I-1520, Streptococcus thermophilus CNCM I-2272 or mixtures thereof. The method increases the length of the non rapid eye movement sleep phase and decreases the length of the rapid eye movement sleep phase. The bacteria can be administered in an orally consumable food product or a dietary supplement.

Abstract: Non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria have cell walls which are susceptible to digestion by muramidase-type enzymes, which produce fragments referred to as muramylpeptides. The ingestion of muramylpeptides, either directly, or by digestion of non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria, promote sleep and improves the quality of sleep. In particular, non-rapid eye movement sleep phase is enhanced. The muramylpeptide digestion-products of non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria promote monocyte production of superoxide anion and the cytokines of IL-1&bgr; and TNF&agr;.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inducing sleep in a host which includes administering to the host synthetic peptides, as well as fragments and analogs thereof, complementary to growth hormone releasing hormone.

Abstract: A protein fragment for inducing sleep in mammals comprising a fragment of interleukin-1 .beta. from about amino acid 208 to about amino acid 240 and its physiologically active derivatives. The fragment comprises the amino acids sequence: ##STR1## The protein fragment may be derived by synthetic methods and a cysteine residue may be attached to the last threonine residue.

Abstract: Biological compositions which induce sleep of the slow-wave type which comprise biological carriers and sleep-inducing muramyl peptides such as acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine and derivatives thereof and methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: A compound capable of inducing sleep in mammals comprising a peptidoglycan monomer obtained by lysozyme digestion of linear non-crosslinked peptidoglycan polymer chains present in culture fluids of penicillin-treated Brevibacterium divaricatum mutant NRRL 2311 together with hydrolysis of at least one amide group of said monomer.

Abstract: Sleep-promoting factor isolated from brains of sleep-deprived animals or from human urine and concentrated using ion-exchange resins.