Effect of Partial Sleep Deprivation on Gastric Functions in Rats

Sleep deprivation has been associated with metabolic abnormalities, host defense failure and a variety of health problems including gastric discomforts. However, the effects of partial sleep deprivation on gastric functions have not been clearly elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of partial sleep deprivation for 2 weeks on gastric acid secretion, gastric mucosal integrity and gastric motility in rats. A specific apparatus was designed to induce sleep deprivation in our lab through random lighting of 4 lamps and ringing of a bell. Partial sleep deprivation was continued for 12 hours daily for 2 weeks. 80 male rats were used in this study, 40 as control and the other 40 were subjected to sleep deprivation. Control and partially sleep deprived rats were classified into 5 groups: in the 1s t group, gastric contents were collected 3 hours after pyloric ligation and titrated for measurement of gastric free and total acid secretion. In the 2nd group, gastric mucosa was examined for detection of ulcers and calculation of mean ulcer index. In the 3rd group, calculation of ulcer index was done following oral administration of aspirin. In the 4 t h group, basal gastric content was determined and in the 5t h group, gastric content after 4 hours fasting was determined and the values obtained were used to calculate percentage of food emptied through the 4 hours fasting period to the basal gastric content.Partial sleep deprivation significantly increased gastric acid secretion, induced the formation of gastric ulcers and increased ulcer index following aspirin administration. Sleep deprivation also inhibited gastric motility and emptying when compared to sleep undisturbed control group.Our results suggest that partial sleep deprivation could impair gastric functions especially gastric motility which has not been previously clarified.