Sleep-promoting effects of muramyl peptides.

A muramyl peptide that induces excess slow-wave sleep in rats, rabbits, and cats has recently been isolated from human urine. We now report that synthetic acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine ("muramyl dipeptide") and its lysyl derivative (acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyllysine) can mimic the somnogenic effects of the natural peptide. Both compounds are also pyrogenic and may cause other disturbances of autonomic function. The pyrogenic effects of intravenously administered muramyl dipeptide can be suppressed by previous treatment with acetaminophen without blocking the sleep-promoting effects.