Researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin (USA) deprived rodents of sleep by reducing the length of their night by 35% or preventing them from sleeping altogether. Then, the rats were able to recover and sleep for two days.
The results of the study reveal that total deprivation of sleep induces in rats an oxidative stress 39% higher than the normal value. And that it was even higher for cells of the liver (+147%), lungs (+66%), and small intestine (+45%). During partial sleep deprivation, this oxidative stress was observed, but to a lesser extent.
“It is therefore “physical” proof, on animals, of the relationship between sleep deprivation and cellular damage and the risk of disease, thus confirming that sleep disorders are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and cancers” , concludes Dr. Carol Everson, professor of neurology, cell biology, neurobiology and anatomy at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
But the researchers also found that two days of recovery can restore balance and reduce cell damage.
Sleep disorders, a public health problem
The sleeping troubles today affect 20% of the population of industrialized countries. They are responsible for a large number of health problems. Indeed, sleep deficiency can be responsible for car accidents, industrial disasters, metabolic disorders, and heart problems. In addition, people who lack sleep have a higher risk of developing chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity and cancer. They also experience increased early mortality. More than a third of French people (34%) have consulted a specialist for their sleep disorders, according to a recent poll by Opinion Matters for Withings, a company that manufactures the Withings Aura smart alarm clock.
Read also:
Better sleep makes you more beautiful
Bad sleep would promote fibromyalgia
Pets, the best enemies of our sleep
