Sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on our health, according to a recent study by scientists at the University of Surrey in England. The study found that just one week of insufficient sleep can alter the activity of hundreds of genes, particularly those that affect the immune system and our ability to handle stress. The researchers discovered that a total of 711 genes were affected by sleep deprivation, which accounts for around 3.1% of all human genes. This is the first study to investigate the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on such a large number of genes.
The study involved 14 men and 12 women who spent a week in a sleep laboratory, where they were allowed a maximum of six hours of sleep per night. The researchers found that the genes responsible for inflammation, immune responses, and stress reactions were particularly affected by sleep deprivation. In addition, the study found that sleep deprivation also affects the activity of genes that regulate the body’s metabolism and circadian rhythm.
The researchers took hourly measurements of the hormone melatonin, which is released by the body in the dark and is a good indicator of the body’s day-night rhythm. They also took blood samples from the participants every three hours to determine which genes were active and which were not. The study found that a total of 444 genes were downregulated and 267 were upregulated after sleep deprivation.
The findings of this study highlight the importance of getting enough sleep for our overall health and wellbeing. Sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on our immune system, stress levels, and metabolism, which can lead to a range of health problems. It is essential that we prioritize getting enough sleep to ensure that our bodies can function at their best.
