Sleep Deprivation-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Models: A Scoping Systematic Review

Acute 2-phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran treatment reverses the neurobehavioral alterations induced by sleep deprivation in mice

Sleep is a fundamental state for maintaining the organism homeostasis. Disruptions in sleep patterns predispose to the appearance of memory impairments and mental disorders, including depression. Recent pre-clinical studies have highlighted the antidepressant-like properties of the synthetic compound 2-phenyl-3-(phenylselanyl)benzofuran (SeBZF1). To further investigate the neuromodulatory effects of SeBZF1, this study aimed to assess its therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating neurobehavioral impairments induced by sleep deprivation (SD) in mice. For this purpose, a method known as multiple platforms over water was used to induce rapid eye movement (REM) SD. Two hours after acute SD (24 h), male Swiss mice received a single treatment of SeBZF1 (5 mg/kg, intragastric route) or fluoxetine (a positive control, 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal route). Subsequently, behavioral tests were conducted to assess spontaneous motor function (open-field test), depressive-like behavior (tail suspension test), and memory deficits (Y-maze test). Brain structures were utilized to evaluate oxidative stress markers, monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities. Our findings revealed that SD animals displayed depressive-like behavior and memory impairments, which were reverted by SeBZF1 and fluoxetine treatments. SeBZF1 also reverted the increase in lipoperoxidation levels and glutathione peroxidase activity in the pre-frontal cortex in mice exposed to SD. Besides, the increase in hippocampal AChE activity induced by SD was overturned by SeBZF1. Lastly, cortical MAO-B activity was reestablished by SeBZF1 in mice that underwent SD. Based on the main findings of this study, it can be inferred that the compound SeBZF1 reverses the neurobehavioral alterations induced by sleep deprivation in male Swiss mice.

Sleep and Oxidative Stress: Current Perspectives on the Role of NRF2

Sleep is a fundamental conserved physiological state across evolution, suggesting vital biological functions that are yet to be fully clarified. However, our understanding of the neural and molecular basis of sleep regulation has increased rapidly in recent years. Among various processes implicated in controlling sleep homeostasis, a bidirectional relationship between sleep and oxidative stress has recently emerged. One proposed function of sleep may be the mitigation of oxidative stress in both brain and peripheral tissues, contributing to the clearance of reactive species that accumulate during wakefulness. Conversely, reactive species, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), at physiological levels, may act as signaling agents to regulate redox-sensitive transcriptional factors, enzymes, and other effectors involved in the regulation of sleep. As a primary sensor of intracellular oxidation, the transcription factor NRF2 is emerging as an indispensable component to maintain cellular redox homeostasis during sleep. Indeed, a number of studies have revealed an association between NRF2 dysfunction and the most common sleep conditions, including sleep loss, obstructive sleep apnea, and circadian sleep disturbances. This review examines the evidence of the intricate link between oxidative stress and NRF2 function in the context of sleep, and highlights the potential of NRF2 modulators to alleviate sleep disturbances.

The influence of sleep disorders on perioperative neurocognitive disorders among the elderly: A narrative review

This review comprehensively assesses the epidemiology, interaction, and impact on patient outcomes of perioperative sleep disorders (SD) and perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) in the elderly. The incidence of SD and PND during the perioperative period in older adults is alarmingly high, with SD significantly contributing to the occurrence of postoperative delirium. However, the clinical evidence linking SD to PND remains insufficient, despite substantial preclinical data. Therefore, this study focuses on the underlying mechanisms between SD and PND, underscoring that potential mechanisms driving SD-induced PND include uncontrolled central nervous inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, circadian rhythm disturbances, glial cell dysfunction, neuronal and synaptic abnormalities, impaired central metabolic waste clearance, gut microbiome dysbiosis, hippocampal oxidative stress, and altered brain network connectivity. Additionally, the review also evaluates the effectiveness of various sleep interventions, both pharmacological and nonpharmacological, in mitigating PND. Strategies such as earplugs, eye masks, restoring circadian rhythms, physical exercise, noninvasive brain stimulation, dexmedetomidine, and melatonin receptor agonists have shown efficacy in reducing PND incidence. The impact of other sleep-improvement drugs (e.g., orexin receptor antagonists) and methods (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia) on PND is still unclear. However, certain drugs used for treating SD (e.g., antidepressants and first-generation antihistamines) may potentially aggravate PND. By providing valuable insights and references, this review aimed to enhance the understanding and management of PND in older adults based on SD.

Glutathione in HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

A large portion of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have neurologic sequelae. Those with better-controlled HIV via antiretroviral therapies generally have less severe neurologic symptoms. However, for many patients, antiretrovirals do not adequately resolve symptoms. Since much of the pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS (Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome) involves oxidative stress either directly, through viral interaction, or indirectly, through inflammatory mechanisms, we have reviewed relevant trials of glutathione supplementation in each of the HIV-associated neurocognitive diseases and have found disease-specific results. For diseases for which trials have not been completed, predicted responses to glutathione supplementation are made based on relevant mechanisms seen in the literature. It is not sufficient to conclude that all HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) will benefit from the antioxidant effects of glutathione supplementation. The potential effects of glutathione supplementation in patients with HAND are likely to differ based on the specific HIV-associated neurocognitive disease.

Disrupting circadian control of autophagy induces podocyte injury and proteinuria

The circadian clock influences a wide range of biological process and controls numerous aspects of physiology to adapt to the daily environmental changes caused by Earth's rotation. The kidney clock plays an important role in maintaining tubular function, but its effect on podocytes remains unclear. Here, we found that podocytes expressed CLOCK proteins, and that 2666 glomerular gene transcripts (13.4%), including autophagy related genes, had 24-hour circadian rhythms. Deletion of Clock in podocytes resulted in 1666 gene transcripts with the loss of circadian rhythm including autophagy genes. Podocyte-specific Clock knockout mice at age three and eight months showed deficient autophagy, loss of podocytes and increased albuminuria. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequence analysis indicated autophagy related genes were targets of CLOCK in podocytes. ChIP-PCR further confirmed Clock binding to the promoter regions of Becn1 and Atg12, two autophagy related genes. Furthermore, the association of CLOCK regulated autophagy with chronic sleep fragmentation and diabetic kidney disease was analyzed. Chronic sleep fragmentation resulted in the loss of glomerular Clock rhythm, inhibition of podocyte autophagy, and proteinuria. Rhythmic oscillations of Clock also disappeared in high glucose treated podocytes and in glomeruli from diabetic mice. Finally, circadian differences in podocyte autophagy were also abolished in diabetic mice. Deletion Clock in podocytes aggravated podocyte injury and proteinuria in diabetic mice. Thus, our findings demonstrate that clock-dependent regulation of autophagy may be essential for podocyte survival. Hence. loss of circadian controlled autophagy may play an important role in podocyte injury and proteinuria.

Melatonin as a Mediator of the Gut Microbiota-Host Interaction: Implications for Health and Disease

In recent years, the role played by melatonin on the gut microbiota has gained increasingly greater attention. Additionally, the gut microbiota has been proposed as an alternative source of melatonin, suggesting that this antioxidant indoleamine could act as a sort of messenger between the gut microbiota and the host. This review analyses the available scientific literature about possible mechanisms involved in this mediating role, highlighting its antioxidant effects and influence on this interaction. In addition, we also review the available knowledge on the effects of melatonin on gut microbiota composition, as well as its ability to alleviate dysbiosis related to sleep deprivation or chronodisruptive conditions. The melatonin-gut microbiota relationship has also been discussed in terms of its role in the development of different disorders, from inflammatory or metabolic disorders to psychiatric and neurological conditions, also considering oxidative stress and the reactive oxygen species-scavenging properties of melatonin as the main factors mediating this relationship.