A single night of insufficient sleep can bring about genetic changes, according to new research.
In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Uppsala University and Karolinska Institute in Sweden, it has been revealed that even a single night of poor sleep can trigger significant epigenetic changes in humans, potentially leading to metabolic consequences such as increased risks for obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The study involved 15 healthy young men, all non-smokers and with no history of sleep disorders. Each participant made two visits to the lab, staying two nights per session. On the first night of each stay, everyone enjoyed a full, restful sleep of over 8 hours. However, on one of the nights, participants were kept awake, experiencing sleep loss.
The researchers found measurable changes in the genes that regulate the circadian rhythm after just one night of sleep loss. They took blood and subcutaneous fat samples from each volunteer before and after the all-nighter. Sleep-deprived participants showed epigenetic changes in fat tissue that could shift the body's balance toward insulin resistance—a precursor to diabetes.
These epigenetic changes primarily involve alterations to DNA methylation patterns in genes associated with metabolism and inflammation. Mechanistically, the main epigenetic processes affected include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA activity.
Disrupted sleep alters gut microbiota composition and their metabolites, such as bile acids, which play roles in metabolic regulation and inflammation. Chronic sleep loss and circadian disruption lead to sustained glucocorticoid elevation, causing metabolic reprogramming, including insulin resistance and altered energy balance.
Metabolically, sleep loss is linked with oxidative stress and inflammation that can further induce epigenetic changes, impacting metabolism profoundly. Obesity rates have more than tripled worldwide since 1975, and among young adults and teens, the numbers are even worse. Type 2 diabetes affects over 500 million people globally, with 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. not getting enough sleep on a regular basis according to the CDC.
Shift workers, who often endure chronic sleep disruption, are at higher risk for both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Modern life is perfectly engineered to disrupt natural sleep patterns, contributing to these epidemics.
In summary, sleep loss triggers epigenetic changes mainly via altered DNA methylation of metabolic and inflammatory genes, disrupting normal gene expression involved in metabolism. These changes affect gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism, exacerbating inflammatory and metabolic dysregulation. The metabolic consequences include oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and increased risk for metabolic syndrome.
Prioritizing adequate sleep is crucial to maintaining proper epigenetic regulation and metabolic health. This study underscores the importance of understanding the intricate relationship between sleep and health, and the potential long-term effects of chronic sleep deprivation on our bodies.
The groundbreaking study reveals that even a single night of poor sleep can trigger epigenetic changes in humans, adding to the increased risks for health-and-wellness issues like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The study, focusing on 15 healthy young men, showed that sleep-deprived participants displayed epigenetic changes in fat tissue and gene regulation that could impact mental-health by potentially leading to insulin resistance—a precursor to diabetes.
