Acute sleep deprivation preconditions the heart against ischemia/ reperfusion injury: the role of central GABA-A receptors

Ischemic Stroke and Sleep: The Linking Genetic Factors

This review summarizes the available data about genetic factors which can link ischemic stroke and sleep. Sleep patterns (subjective and objective measures) are characterized by heritability and comprise up to 38-46%. According to Mendelian randomization analysis, genetic liability for short sleep duration and frequent insomnia symptoms is associated with ischemic stroke (predominantly of large artery subtype). The potential genetic links include variants of circadian genes, genes encoding components of neurotransmitter systems, common cardiovascular risk factors, as well as specific genetic factors related to certain sleep disorders.

The Roles of GABA in Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Organs

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common pathological process, which may lead to dysfunctions and failures of multiple organs. A flawless medical way of endogenous therapeutic target can illuminate accurate clinical applications. γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been known as a marker in I/R injury of the central nervous system (mainly in the brain) for a long time, and it may play a vital role in the occurrence of I/R injury. It has been observed that throughout cerebral I/R, levels, syntheses, releases, metabolisms, receptors, and transmissions of GABA undergo complex pathological variations. Scientists have investigated the GABAergic enhancers for attenuating cerebral I/R injury; however, discussions on existing problems and mechanisms of available drugs were seldom carried out so far. Therefore, this review would summarize the process of pathological variations in the GABA system under cerebral I/R injury and will cover corresponding probable issues and mechanisms in using GABA-related drugs to illuminate the concern about clinical illness for accurately preventing cerebral I/R injury. In addition, the study will summarize the increasing GABA signals that can prevent I/R injuries occurring in peripheral organs, and the roles of GABA were also discussed correspondingly.