Insomnia Promotes Hepatic Steatosis in Rats Possibly by Mediating Sympathetic Overactivation.

Zongding Wang,Baopeng Tang,Xiaoyan Liang,Kalibixiati Aimulajiang,Xianhui Zhou,Tiemin Jiang,Tuerganaili Aji,Yanmei Lu,Huaxin Sun,Ling Zhang,Hao Wen

doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.734009

Abstract

Background: Insomnia is a widespread problem that can lead to the occurrence of other diseases and correlates closely with sympathetic nerve hyperactivation. Obesity-induced hepatic steatosis is mediated by sympathetic overactivation. However, it remains unclear whether insomnia may cause hepatic steatosis. The goal of this study was to preliminarily investigate whether insomnia caused hepatic steatosis in rats via sympathetic hyperactivation.Methods: A total of 32 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided randomly into four groups: model, sympathetic denervation (Sd), estazolam, and control (eight rats/group). Model group received sustained sleep deprivation using the modified multiple platform method. In the Sd group, rats underwent sleep deprivation after receiving Sd by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Estazolam group: the rats concurrently received sleep deprivation and treatment with estazolam. The other eight rats housed in cages and kept in a comfortable environment were used as control. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of plasma lipids and hepatic function. Sympathetic hyperactivation-related indexes and hepatic steatosis in liver tissues were tested.Results: Liver enzymes, plasma lipid levels, and hepatic steatosis were elevated in insomnia rats, and sympathetic hyperactivation was found. Insomnia-induced hepatic steatosis was effectively lowered with pharmacological ablation of the hepatic sympathetic nerves. Furthermore, the treatment of insomnia with estazolam inhibited sympathetic activation and reduced hepatic steatosis.Conclusion: Sustained sleep deprivation-induced insomnia promotes hepatic steatosis in rats possibly by mediating sympathetic overactivation.

Highlights

Insomnia is a common problem that warrants increased attention from clinicians (Buysse, 2013)
Liver enzymes, plasma lipid levels, and hepatic steatosis were elevated in insomnia rats, and sympathetic hyperactivation was found
Insomnia-induced hepatic steatosis was effectively lowered with pharmacological ablation of the hepatic sympathetic nerves

Summary

Introduction

Insomnia is a common problem that warrants increased attention from clinicians (Buysse, 2013). Some studies have suggested an association of insomnia with increased sympathetic activity (Carter et al, 2018). Chronic insomnia is often accompanied by impairment of the sympathetic baroreflex (Carter et al, 2018). Sympathetic hyperactivation may be closely related to the development of insomnia. Insomnia is a widespread problem that can lead to the occurrence of other diseases and correlates closely with sympathetic nerve hyperactivation. Obesity-induced hepatic steatosis is mediated by sympathetic overactivation. It remains unclear whether insomnia may cause hepatic steatosis. The goal of this study was to preliminarily investigate whether insomnia caused hepatic steatosis in rats via sympathetic hyperactivation

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Conclusion