Both objective and paradoxical insomnia elicit a stress response involving mitokine production.

Martucci M, Conte M, Ostan R, Chiariello A, Miele F, Franceschi C, Salvioli S, Santoro A, Provini F

Aging17 May 2020Cited by 13 (Europe PMC)

PMID32420904PMCIDPMC7346035DOI10.18632/aging.103274PepBankPUB-32420904

Summary

Chronic insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the elderly population. From 9 to 50% of patients suffer of paradoxical insomnia, with the same symptoms and ailments, though characterized by normal sleep patterns. We have investigated the level of parameters related to stress in a group of post-menopausal female patients (age range 55-70 years) suffering by either objective or paradoxical insomnia, in particular we have measured 24-hours urinary cortisol, allostatic load index, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) score, and, for the first time, mitokines (mitochondrial stress response molecules) such as FGF21, GDF15 and Humanin (HN). Results show that the two groups are different as far as sleep efficiency score, as expected, but not for stress parameters, that in some cases resulted within the normality range, although quite close to the top threshold (such as cortisol) or much higher with respect to normality ranges (such as PSS). Therefore, the consequences of paradoxical insomnia on the expression of these parameters are the same as objective insomnia. As far as the level of mitokines, we showed that FGF21 and HN in particular resulted altered (decreased and increased, respectively) with respect to control population, however with no difference between the two groups of patients.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured2

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
Humanin levels were increased in post-menopausal women with objective or paradoxical insomnia compared with the control population.
In plain wordsIn post-menopausal women with insomnia, the body's own humanin was higher than in controls.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
IncreaseHumanin level in insomnia versus controls
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Control population
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Sleep
Source sentences
Summary
As far as the level of mitokines, we showed that FGF21 and HN in particular resulted altered (decreased and increased, respectively) with respect to control population, however with no difference between the two groups of patients.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We have investigated the level of parameters related to stress in a group of post-menopausal female patients (age range 55-70 years) suffering by either objective or paradoxical insomnia
This result measures the body's own Humanin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3242090401
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
Humanin levels did not differ between patients with objective insomnia and patients with paradoxical insomnia.
In plain wordsIn post-menopausal women with insomnia, the body's own humanin did not differ between the two insomnia types.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
No significant changeHumanin level, objective versus paradoxical insomnia
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Objective insomnia
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Sleep
Source sentences
Summary
As far as the level of mitokines, we showed that FGF21 and HN in particular resulted altered (decreased and increased, respectively) with respect to control population, however with no difference between the two groups of patients.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We have investigated the level of parameters related to stress in a group of post-menopausal female patients (age range 55-70 years) suffering by either objective or paradoxical insomnia
This result measures the body's own Humanin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3242090402

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Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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