Researchers at the University of Camerino in Italy have shown that probiotic supplements can counteract oxidative stress and inflammation linked to insufficient sleep. The findings appear in a study published in Nutrients.
Sleep deprivation is commonly defined as fewer than seven hours of sleep, yet more than four hours. This pattern disrupts brain function and triggers inflammatory processes, along with oxidative damage. Oxidative stress arises when antioxidant defenses wane and reactive oxygen species accumulate, damaging cellular molecules and impairing cellular health.
The research team explored how the sleep deficit may affect gut health, noting that reduced sleep can alter the gut microbiota and weaken the intestinal barrier. When the barrier integrity is compromised, bacteria and their byproducts can enter the body, potentially fueling systemic inflammation. The scientists therefore asked whether introducing beneficial bacteria could modulate these processes and improve overall health outcomes.
In their experimental design, the researchers administered a blend of probiotic strains to mice with normal sleep patterns to establish a baseline, then evaluated changes in oxidative damage and inflammatory markers in the brain and across the body. They used a combination of biochemical assays and tissue examinations to track shifts before and after probiotic treatment, ensuring a thorough assessment of both local and systemic effects.
Results demonstrated that probiotic supplementation attenuated inflammation and reduced oxidative stress. The proposed mechanism involves rebalancing the gut microbiome, strengthening the intestinal barrier, and tuning immune responses, which collectively lower the production of inflammatory signaling molecules. Probiotics appeared to influence both endogenous and externally derived reactive oxygen species, contributing to a more favorable redox status and potentially mitigating sleep-related damage. These effects point to a practical approach for supporting health during periods of limited sleep, according to the researchers and corroborating evidence in the field of gut-brain axis research.”