Sleep deprivation, frequent nighttime awakenings, and apnea contribute to reduced diversity of beneficial bacteria and increased permeability of the intestinal barrier. This is reported by News Medical, according to infohub.kz.
A scientific review published in News-Medical has systematized existing data on the bidirectional relationship between sleep quality and gut microbiome health. Experts found that sleep deprivation, fragmented nighttime rest, circadian rhythm disruptions, and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome lead to changes in the composition and functional activity of intestinal microorganisms.
Laboratory experiments show that sleep deficiency reduces alpha diversity of bacteria, increases the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and decreases the abundance of butyrate-producing cultures. In animals, sleep deprivation also triggered depletion of beneficial microorganisms and proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria of the genus Aeromonas. Such changes can weaken tight junctions in the epithelium, increasing intestinal wall permeability and triggering inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α.
The gut microbiota participates in the synthesis of neuroactive compounds, including serotonin, melatonin, and GABA, and also interacts with circadian rhythm genes such as BMAL1 and CRY1. Experts note that despite compelling data from animal models, clinical observations in humans still show conflicting results due to small sample sizes.
Scientists emphasize that the difference between simply reducing sleep hours and its fragmentation requires further study. Understanding the mechanisms of gut-brain interaction may help in developing new therapies for sleep disorders.