Investigating the resilience of kidneys in rats exposed to chronic partial sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption as disruptive interventions

Sleep is a vital biological function that significantly influences overall health. While sleep deprivation (SD) and circadian rhythm disruption are known to negatively impact various organs, their specific effects on kidney function remain understudied. This study aimed to investigate the impact of chronic partial sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption on renal function in rats, providing insights into the relationship between sleep disturbances and kidney health. A total of 40 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: a control group, a group with circadian rhythm disruption (CIR), a group with sleep deprivation during the light phase (SD-AM), a group with sleep deprivation during the dark phase (SD-PM), and a group with combined sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption (SD-CIR). Sleep deprivation was induced using a specialized machine, depriving rats of sleep for 4 h daily, while circadian rhythm disruption was achieved through a 3.5-h light/dark cycle. After four weeks, kidney tissues and blood samples were collected for histological and biochemical analyses. The results showed that all experimental groups exhibited reduced water intake, with the CIR and SD-CIR groups also showing significantly lower food intake and reduced weight gain compared to controls. Oxidative stress markers revealed increased serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the SD-PM and SD-CIR groups. Despite these metabolic and oxidative changes, histological examination of the kidneys revealed no significant alterations in renal structure or function across the groups. This study highlights the negative effects of chronic partial sleep deprivation and circadian rhythm disruption on feeding behavior, weight gain, and oxidative stress in rats. However, these interventions did not significantly alter renal structure or function. Further research is needed to explore the physiological mechanisms underlying these findings and the potential long-term effects of sleep disturbances on kidney health.