Paradoxical sleep deprivation induces tissue changes in the parotid gland of rats.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate if paradoxical sleep deprivation induces some tissue changes in the parotid gland of rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were distributed into the following groups, as follows: Group 1-Control (CTRL; n = 8); Group 2-Sleep deprivation (PS; n = 8): the animals were submitted to Paradoxical Sleep deprivation for 96h and Group 3-Recovery (R; n = 8): the animals were submitted to sleep loss for 96h, followed by a period of 96h without any intervention. The following parameters were evaluated: microscopic analysis, immunohistochemistry for Caspase-3, Ki-67, and COX-2 and gene expression of cytochrome C, TNF-α, and Interleukins 6, 10. The results pointed out acinar atrophy, and the presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles in the parenchyma of the experimental groups. In the same groups, there was differential expression of interleukins 6, 10 and TNF-α. Apoptosis was also increased by means of cleaved caspase 3 expression. The cellular proliferation (ki-67 expression) was increased the R group. Taken together, sleep deprivation induces tissue degeneration, inflammatory process, as well as activate apoptosis in the parotid gland of rats.