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Establishing a Device for Sleep Deprivation in Mice
Published on: September 22, 2023
Modifications in the Composition of the Gut Microbiota in Rats Induced by Chronic Sleep Deprivation: Potential
1Department of Psychology and Sleep Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510120, People's Republic of China.
Introduction:
Sleep deprivation(SD) has numerous negative effects on mental health. A growing body of research has confirmed the implication of gut microbiota in mental disorders. However, the specific modifications in mammalian gut microbiota following SD exhibit variations across different studies.
Methods:
Male specific-pathogen-free Wistar rats were given a modified multiple-platform exposure for 7 days of SD. Fecal samples were obtained from the control and SD groups both at baseline and after 7 days of SD. We utilized 16S rDNA gene sequencing to investigate the gut microbial composition and functional pathways in rats.
Results:
Analysis of the microbiota composition revealed a significant change in gut microbial composition after chronic SD, especially at the phylum level. The relative abundances of p_Firmicutes, g_Romboutsia, and g_Enterococcus increased, whereas those of p_Bacteroidetes, p_Verrucomicrobia, p_Fusobacteria, g_Akkermansia, and g_Cetobacterium decreased in animals after chronic SD compared with controls or animals before SD. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes exhibited an increase following SD. The relative abundance of gut microbiota related to the functional pathways of GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses was observed to be diminished in rats following SD compared to pre-SD.
Conclusion:
Collectively, these findings suggest that chronic SD causes significant alterations in both the structural composition and functional pathways of the gut microbiome. Further researches are necessary to investigate the chronological and causal connections among SD, the gut microbiota and mental disorders.
Insights
Sleep deprivation significantly alters gut microbiota composition and function in rats, impacting pathways crucial for mental health. These changes highlight a potential link between sleep, gut bacteria, and neurological well-being.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Sleep deprivation (SD) negatively impacts mental health.
- Gut microbiota is increasingly implicated in mental disorders, but specific changes due to SD vary.
- Understanding SD-induced gut microbiome shifts is crucial for mental health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on gut microbial composition and function in rats.
- To identify specific bacterial taxa and metabolic pathways affected by sleep deprivation.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats underwent 7 days of modified multiple-platform exposure for sleep deprivation.
- Fecal samples were collected at baseline and after 7 days of SD.
- 16S rDNA gene sequencing was used to analyze microbial composition and functional pathways.
Main Results:
- Chronic SD significantly altered gut microbial composition at the phylum level.
- Increased relative abundance of Firmicutes, Romboutsia, and Enterococcus.
- Decreased relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria, Akkermansia, and Cetobacterium.
- Elevated Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio post-SD.
- Diminished abundance of gut microbiota associated with GABAergic and glutamatergic synapse pathways.
Conclusions:
- Chronic sleep deprivation induces significant structural and functional alterations in the gut microbiome.
- These findings suggest a link between sleep deprivation, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and potential neurological consequences.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the causal relationships between SD, gut microbiota, and mental disorders.
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