L-theanine partially counteracts caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats

Hwan Soo Jang, Ji Young Jung, Il Sung Jang, Kwang Ho Jang, Sang Hyun Kim, Jeoung Hee Ha, Kyoungho Suk, Maan Gee Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

L-theanine has been reported to inhibit the excitatory effects of caffeine. The present study examined the effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced sleep disturbances in rats. Rats received the following drug pairings: saline and saline (Control), 7.5 mg/kg caffeine and saline, or 7.5 mg/kg of caffeine followed by various doses of L-theanine (22.5, 37.5, 75, or 150 mg/kg). Vigilance states were divided into: wakefulness (W), transition to slow-wave sleep (tSWS), slow-wave sleep (SWS), and rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS). Caffeine significantly increased the duration of W and decreased the duration of SWS and REMS compared to the Control. Although L-theanine failed to reverse the caffeine-induced W increase, at 22.5 and 37.5 mg/kg (but not at 75 and 150 mg/kg), it significantly reversed caffeine-induced decreases in SWS. In conclusion, low doses of L-theanine can partially reverse caffeine-induced reductions in SWS; however, effects of L-theanine on caffeine-induced insomnia do not appear to increase dose-dependently.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)217-221
Number of pages5
JournalPharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
Volume101
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Caffeine
  • Insomnia
  • L-theanine
  • Rat
  • Sleep-wake architecture

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