By analyzing the sleep cycles of rats for 28 days, researchers have found that poor sleep is associated with high blood pressure and changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota.
- Experiments in rodents have shown that disrupting sleep patterns increases blood pressure and unbalances the gut microbiota.
- These alterations persist even after returning to normal sleep.
Bad sleep, high blood pressure, altered microbiota… Everything is linked. This is shown by a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA) and published in the journal Physiological Genomics.
Alterations that persist
The object of the researchers’ work was to determine whether a period of 28 days of disturbed sleep has an influence on the intestinal microbiota and on blood pressure. To find out, scientists used rats, which are nocturnal animals, and subjected them to experiments aimed at disrupting their daytime sleep patterns.
Telemetry transmitters measured the rodents’ brain activity, blood pressure and heart rate. The researchers also analyzed their stools to note changes in their microbial content.
The results are unambiguous, the researchers note. “When the rats had an abnormal sleep schedule, we saw an increase in blood pressure and it remained high even when they were able to return to normal sleep. This suggests that dysfunctional sleep harms the body for an extended period of time.”analyzes Katherine A. Maki, lead author of the work.
A modification of the genetic material of all the bacteria populating the colon of the rats was also observed but, contrary to what the researchers initially thought, these changes in the microbiota were not immediately observed. It took about a week to observe an imbalance between the different types of bacteria, as well as an increase in the number of microbes associated with inflammation.
“When the sleep disruption stopped, not everything returned to normal immediately”emphasizes Prof. Maki, who considers that this is a “very complex system with the presence of multiple pathological factors”.
Reduce cardiovascular risk
This is an initial search. Also, new studies are planned to examine the characteristics of an intestinal microbiota impacted by shifted sleep rhythms. The researchers also want to know how long blood pressure and alterations in the intestinal microbiota persist, then how these disturbances are reflected in humans. “We hope to find an intervention that can help people who are at risk for cardiovascular disease due to their work and sleep schedules. People will always have responsibilities that interrupt their sleep. We want to be able to reduce their risk by targeting the microbiota with new therapies or dietary changes.”
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