Differential effects of paradoxical sleep deprivation on memory and oxidative stress

Abstract

Sleep has important functions for every organ in the body and sleep deprivation (SD) leads to disorders that cause irreparable damage. The aim of this study was to investigate behavioral and brain structural alterations in mice deprived of paradoxical sleep for 48 and 72 h. Working memory, aversive memory as well as levels of nitric oxide (NO) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the hippocampus, body striatum, and prefrontal cortex were evaluated. Working memory was affected in the 48- and 72-h SD groups while aversive memory was altered only in the 48-h SD group (p ≤ 0.05). Our findings showed that SD reduces NO levels in most brain areas (p < 0.05): NO levels were unaltered in the striatum of animals sleep-deprived for 48 h. Higher levels of TBARS were observed in all areas of the SD groups (p ≤ 0.05). Thus, we confirmed that SD has duration-dependent effects on behavior as well as on NO and TBARS levels in the brain. Preserved striatum NO levels suggest that this structure is less vulnerable to oxidative stress and is only affected by SD of longer duration. Increased TBARS and reduced NO levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex confirm a central role for both these structures in working memory and aversive memory. Contextual fear conditioning was not affected by longer periods of SD. Thus, our findings suggest that shorter SD time may be more beneficial to avoid aversive memory where this may have implications for the management of posttraumatic stress.

L-carnitine prevents memory impairment induced by chronic REM-sleep deprivation

“…In contrast, previous studies using acute, but not chronic, sleep deprivation models showed increased TBARS or lipid peroxidation levels in the hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, and cortex during acute SD [35,60,73]. …”

Effect of sleep deprivation on the liver, kidney and heart: histological and immunohistochemical study

“…Elevated oxidative stress and insufficient antioxidant activities may result in liver cell injury. 2,15 Research has shown that there is an obvious circadian rhythm in the blood levels of melatonin released from pineal gland in vertebrates, with levels being higher at night and lower during the day. After synthesis, melatonin is released into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood immediately and then is distributed throughout the body in the systemic circulation.…”

“…1 Sleep is beneficial for every organ in the body, and sleep deprivation leads to disturbances that cause irreparable damage. 2 Reduction in sleep duration and sleep quality is progressively common in modern society and is likely linked to changes in the socio-economic environment and lifestyle. 3 The percentage of adults reported sleeping 6 hours or less increased by 5% -6% between 1985 and 2004 and with the advancement of age, sleeping hours progressively decrease.…”

Effects of exercise on depressive behavior and striatal levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and their metabolites in sleep-deprived mice

“…Durrant et al, testing auditory memory and using polysomnography and magnetic resonance in healthy volunteers, showed that weaker parahippocampal responses and stronger striatal responses occurred after sleep and this was predicted by the amount of slow wave sleep [8]. The latest findings provide further evidence consolidating the relationship of the striatum with sleep [15].…”