Unraveling the nexus: Sleep's role in ferroptosis and health

Sleep is an important physiological process to maintain physiological health, which involves the regulation of many systems in the body, which is not only closely related to hormone balance, immune system and nervous system function in the body. Recent studies have emphasized the complex relationship between sleep and cell death mechanisms. Ferroptosis is a form of iron-dependent cell death, which is related to a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Sleep plays an important role in regulating brain metabolism, immune function and overall intracellular homeostasis. New evidence suggests that there is a two-way interaction between sleep and ferroptosis. Sleep interruption may enhance the ferroptosis pathway, which in turn may change the quality of sleep. Understanding this interaction is essential to reveal the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and to develop potential therapeutic interventions. This review combines the results of current studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of ferroptosis and the extensive role of sleep in brain health. Special attention is paid to the effects of sleep deprivation on iron metabolism and oxidative stress, which play an important role in ferroptosis. The review also explores the role of sleep in regulating iron homeostasis and how sleep disorders promote iron accumulation in the brain, which may accelerate the process of ferroptosis. Sleep disorders, especially chronic sleep deprivation, may create a favorable environment for ferroptosis by affecting iron metabolism and oxidative stress levels in the brain. Conversely, cell death associated with siderosis disrupts normal sleep patterns, forming a circulatory relationship that exacerbates neurodegenerative diseases. Understanding the complex mechanisms of sleep and ferroptosis will provide valuable insights into aging and age-related diseases. In addition, the pathways involved in sleep regulation and ferroptosis can provide new methods for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and other ferroptosis-related pathology.