Melatonin improves experimental colitis with sleep deprivation.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Sleep Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Sleep deprivation (SD) is a growing public health concern.
• SD exacerbates inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Melatonin's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in the gut are known, but its role in colitis under SD is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of SD on experimental colitis.
• To evaluate the protective effects of melatonin in mice with colitis and SD.

Main Methods:

• Male ICR mice were divided into control, colitis, colitis with SD, and colitis with SD and melatonin groups.
• Colitis was induced using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).
• Mice underwent sleep deprivation for 3 days; melatonin was administered to one group.

Main Results:

• SD significantly aggravated colitis, increasing inflammation and weight loss.
• Melatonin treatment reversed SD-induced inflammation, reduced weight loss, and improved histological scores.
• Melatonin administration led to higher survival rates and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, TNF-α).
• Gene expression analysis indicated melatonin modulated inflammatory and apoptosis-related pathways (PKCζ, CALM3, iNOS, Wnt5a).

Conclusions:

• Sleep deprivation worsens experimental colitis.
• Melatonin demonstrates significant protective and anti-inflammatory effects against colitis exacerbated by SD.
• Melatonin may be a potential therapeutic agent for IBD patients experiencing sleep disturbances.