Paradoxical sleep deprivation induces oxidative stress in the submandibular glands of Wistar rats.

Abstract

Paradoxical sleep deprivation has been associated with impaired salivary secretion in rats. However, the mechanism that underlies this is not known. Therefore, this study assessed salivary and serum oxidative stress levels following paradoxical sleep deprivation in rats. Twenty-one male Wistar rats randomly divided into three groups of seven rats each as; Control (C); partialsleep-deprived (PSD); and total sleep-deprived (TSD) wereused. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activities were evaluated insaliva, serum, and submandibular glands after seven daysof sleep deprivation. Data were expressed as mean±standard error of the mean and analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey HSD post hoc, and Pearson's correlation tests. Serum MDA levels were significantly higher in both the TSD and PSD groups compared to the control group whereas only the TSD group showed higher submandibular MDA levels compared to the PSD group and the control group. Submandibular SOD activity was significantly lower in both the TSD and PSD groups compared to the control group. Serum catalase activity was significantly lower in the TSD group only compared to the control group. These results have demonstrated for the first time that paradoxical sleep deprivation was associated with changes in the oxidant/antioxidant defense system in the submandibular salivary glands of male Wistar rats which may contribute to impairment in salivary secretion.