A single night of sleep deprivation increases ghrelin levels and feelings of hunger in normal‐weight healthy men

Abstract

SUMMAR Y Sleep loss is currently proposed to disturb endocrine regulation of energy homeostasis leading to weight gain and obesity. Supporting this view, a reduction of sleep duration to 4 h for two consecutive nights has recently been shown to decrease circulating leptin levels and to increase ghrelin levels, as well as self-reported hunger. We hypothesized that similar endocrine alterations occur even after a single night of sleep restriction. In a balanced order, nine healthy normal-weight men spent three nights in our sleep laboratory separated by at least 2 weeks: one night with a total sleep time of 7 h, one night with a total sleep time of 4.5 h and one night with total sleep deprivation (SD). On a standard symptom-rating scale, subjects rated markedly stronger feelings of hunger after total SD than after 7 h sleep (3.9 ± 0.7 versus 1.7 ± 0.3; P = 0.020) or 4.5 h sleep (2.2 ± 0.5; P = 0.041). Plasma ghrelin levels were 22 ± 10% higher after total SD than after 7 h sleep (0.85 ± 0.06 versus 0.72 ± 0.04 ng mL )1 ; P = 0.048) with intermediate levels of the hormone after 4.5 h sleep (0.77 ± 0.04 ng mL )1 ). Serum leptin levels did not differ between conditions. Feelings of hunger as well as plasma ghrelin levels are already elevated after one night of SD, whereas morning serum leptin concentrations remain unaffected. Thus, our results provide further evidence for a disturbing influence of sleep loss on endocrine regulation of energy homeostasis, which on the long run may result in weight gain and obesity.k e y w o r d s energy homeostasis, ghrelin, leptin, obesity, sleep loss

Distinct associations between energy balance and the sleep characteristics slow wave sleep and rapid eye movement sleep

“…We also observed inverse relationships between SWS and feelings of hunger, measured using a visual analog scale, as well as cortisol levels and STAI state scores, used to measure mood, 46,51 while all positive associations with the amount of REM sleep were observed. Regarding SWS, these findings are in concordance to studies using extreme forms of sleep deprivation, which show increased feelings of hunger, 8,16,17 increased ghrelin levels 7,8,15 and increased cortisol levels 21,29 and suggests that subjects were hungrier and more stressed when SWS was relatively short. The positive association between cortisol levels and REM sleep, is complementary to results by van Cauter et al, 35 who observed an inverse relationship between nadir cortisol levels and REM sleep, which suggests a blunted hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis response that has been related to obesity.…”

Determinants of body mass index by gender in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa

“…Elsewhere, in Kenya and the USA, shorter sleep was associated with obesity in women only [47,48]. Evidence suggests that acute short sleep duration results in an imbalance of hormones controlling hunger and appetite, which in turn, are characterized by decreased leptin (satiety hormone), and increased ghrelin (appetite-stimulating hormone) [49,50]. …”

Could Parental Rules Play a Role in the Association Between Short Sleep and Obesity in Young Children?

“…Until now the emphasis has been on elucidating biological mechanisms causing short sleep to directly impact obesity (Taheri et al, 2004;Flint et al, 2007;Van Cauter et al, 2007;Schmid et al, 2008;Spruyt, 2011). This exploratory study has highlighted the power of an anthropological perspective to challenge and further our understanding.…”

“…There is some evidence that in adults, hormonal mechanisms, appetite regulation and food intake link short sleep with weight gain (Taheri et al, 2004;Van Cauter et al, 2008;Schmid et al, 2008;Knutson 2012). Studies have not been replicated in young childrenalthough short sleep has been linked with child insulin resistance and metabolic marker levels (Flint et al, 2008;Spruyt et al, 2011).…”