Gut Microbiota Composition and Functionality Are Associated With REM Sleep Duration and Continuous Glucose Levels

Sleep disruption is associated with worse glucose metabolic control and altered gut microbiota in animal models.

We aimed to evaluate the possible links among rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration, continuous glucose levels, and gut microbiota composition.

This observational, prospective, real-life, cross-sectional case-control study included 118 (60 with obesity), middle-aged (39.1-54.8 years) healthy volunteers recruited at a tertiary hospital. Glucose variability and REM sleep duration were assessed by 10-day continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (Dexcom G6) and wrist actigraphy (Fitbit Charge 3), respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV), interquartile range (IQR), and SD of glucose variability was assessed and the percentage of time in range (% TIR), at 126-139 mg/dL (TIR2), and 140-199 mg/dL (TIR3) were calculated. Shotgun metagenomics sequencing was applied to study gut microbiota taxonomy and functionality.

Increased glycemic variability (SD, CV, and IQR) was observed among subjects with obesity in parallel to increased % TIR2 and % TIR3. REM sleep duration was independently associated with % TIR3 (β = -.339; P < .001) and glucose variability (SD, β = -.350; P < .001). Microbial taxa from the Christensenellaceae family (Firmicutes phylum) were positively associated with REM sleep and negatively with CGM levels, while bacteria from Enterobacteriacea family and bacterial functions involved in iron metabolism showed opposite associations.

Decreased REM sleep duration was independently associated with a worse glucose profile. The associations of species from Christensenellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families with REM sleep duration and continuous glucose values suggest an integrated picture of metabolic health.