Effects of 72 hours sleep deprivation on wound healing in the rat

The purpose of this study was to examine effects of sleep deprivation on cellular and biochemical markers of wound healing. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubing inserted in subcutaneous tissue created miniature wounds in the dorsal skin of 12 rats. Seven days later, 6 rats were deprived of sleep by the platform method for 72 hr; control rats remained on usual sleep/wake routines. Numbers of macrophages, granulocytes, fibroblasts, and extent of connective tissue present and total amounts of protein, DNA, and hydroxyproline in the implants were not different between sleep-deprived and control rats. There is no evidence from this study that sleep deprivation impairs cellular and biochemical indicators of tissue repair.