| dc.description.abstract | Sleep deprivation and related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, are consequences of the
busy lifestyle of modern society. Sleep is a crucial resting state for survival and regulated by
circadian rhythms. Changes in these rhythms affect antioxidant defense systems, cause
oxidative damage and metabolic deficiencies, but the mechanisms involved in these changes
are still unclear. In this study we evaluated the effects of sleep deprivation on Drosophila
melanogaster flies maintained in constant light. Exposure of flies to the continuous light
condition was able to cause changes in sleep patterns, characterizing homeostatic sleep
regulation. Sleep deprivation of flies by 24-hour light exposure caused decreased locomotor
activity, increased GST, SOD, and TRxR enzymes, as well as decreased CAT activity.
Increased levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction,
decreased glucose, triglycerides and glycogen levels and increased caspase 3/7 activity were
also observed. In addition, sleep deprived flies showed alterations in the expression of genes
involved in oxidative stress pathways, circadian control and metabolic regulation. The
increase in gene expression of Nrf2, p38β, Pp2a, pale, Akt1, Clk, cyc, per, tim, cry, pdf and in
the dilp2, 3 and 8 genes. On the other hand, the dbt and dilp4, 5, 6 and 7 genes showed a
significant decrease in their expression. Taken together, our data suggest a close relationship
between sleep deprivation, circadian control, oxidative stress, and metabolic regulation,
indicating that sleep deprivation, even for a short period of time, is capable of causing
deleterious effects on the body, and further enhances use of Drosophila melanogaster as a
model organism for studies related to sleep and metabolism. | |
