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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Chronic Sleep Deprivation in Mouse Pups by Means of Gentle Handling
Published on: October 11, 2018
Sleep loss and acute drug abuse can induce DNA damage in multiple organs of mice
T A Alvarenga1, D A Ribeiro, P Araujo
1Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study was to characterize the genetic damage induced by paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) in combination with cocaine or ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) in multiple organs of male mice using the single cell gel (comet) assay. C57BL/6J mice were submitted to PSD by the platform technique for 72 hours, followed by drug administration and evaluation of DNA damage in peripheral blood, liver and brain tissues. Cocaine was able to induce genetic damage in the blood, brain and liver cells of sleep-deprived mice at the majority of the doses evaluated. Ecstasy also induced increased DNA migration in peripheral blood cells for all concentrations tested. Analysis of damaged cells by the tail moment data suggests that ecstasy is a genotoxic chemical at the highest concentrations tested, inducing damage in liver or brain cells after sleep deprivation in mice. Taken together, our results suggest that cocaine and ecstasy/MDMA act as potent genotoxins in multiple organs of mice when associated with sleep loss.
Insights
Paradoxical sleep deprivation combined with cocaine or ecstasy (MDMA) significantly increased genetic damage in mice. These drugs act as potent genotoxins in multiple organs, particularly when sleep is lost.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Genetics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sleep deprivation is a critical factor affecting physiological processes.
- Cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA) are recreational drugs with known health risks.
- Understanding drug interactions with physiological states like sleep loss is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genotoxic effects of cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA) when combined with paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD).
- To assess DNA damage in peripheral blood, liver, and brain tissues of male mice.
Main Methods:
- Male C57BL/6J mice underwent 72 hours of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) using the platform technique.
- Mice received administration of cocaine or ecstasy (MDMA).
- The single cell gel (comet) assay was employed to evaluate DNA damage in blood, liver, and brain tissues.
Main Results:
- Cocaine induced significant genetic damage in blood, brain, and liver cells of sleep-deprived mice across most tested doses.
- Ecstasy (MDMA) increased DNA migration in peripheral blood cells at all concentrations.
- High concentrations of ecstasy (MDMA) demonstrated genotoxicity in liver and brain cells following sleep deprivation.
Conclusions:
- Cocaine and ecstasy (MDMA) act as potent genotoxins in multiple organs when combined with sleep loss.
- The study highlights the synergistic genotoxic potential of these drugs and sleep deprivation.
- These findings underscore the risks associated with polydrug use and sleep disturbances.
