Gut microbiota and glucometabolic alterations in response to recurrent partial sleep deprivation in normal-weight young individuals.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized crossover trial
PubMed 27900260 · doi:10.1016/j.molmet.2016.10.003
What was done
In a randomized within-subject crossover study with standardized in-lab meals and exercise schedules, nine normal-weight men completed two conditions: two nights of partial sleep deprivation (sleep opportunity 02:45-07:00 h) and two nights of normal sleep (sleep opportunity 22:30-07:00 h). Fecal samples were collected within 24 hours before and after each intervention for V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing and short-chain fatty acid quantification. Oral glucose tolerance testing was conducted following each sleep condition.
What was found
After partial sleep deprivation compared with normal sleep, participants showed an increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (P < 0.05), higher relative abundances of Coriobacteriaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae (both P < 0.05), and lower abundance of Tenericutes (P < 0.05). Fasting and postprandial insulin sensitivity decreased (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for beta diversity or fecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations. Absolute values and effect sizes were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study demonstrates that even short-term, acute sleep restriction induces subtle compositional changes in the human gut microbiota alongside impaired glucose metabolism under standardized laboratory conditions.
Limits
The sample size was very small (n = 9) and restricted only to normal-weight young men. The intervention lasted only two nights, exact numerical values were not provided in the abstract, and a causal link between the microbial shifts and impaired insulin sensitivity was not demonstrated.
Cited by
- supports Sleep deprivation or jet lag increases the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes in the human gut microbiome, similar to the profile seen in obesity and diabetes.