Effect of sleep deprivation on insulin sensitivity and cortisol concentration in healthy subjects.

The objective of this study was to assess insulin sensitivity and cortisol concentration in healthy subjects with 24-hr sleep deprivation. A randomised, single-blind, controlled clinical trial was performed in 28 healthy subjects. Fourteen individuals were studied before and after 24-hr sleep deprivation and 14 volunteers with normal sleep periods (NSP) as a control group. Serum creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations were measured in both groups. Insulin suppression test modified with octreotide (IST) and cortisol levels were performed before and after 24-hr sleep deprivation or NSP. Clinical and metabolic characteristics of the subjects in both groups are similar. Steady-state glucose (SSG) concentration of the IST was significantly higher after 24-hr sleep deprivation (5.7+/-2.1 vs 6.7+/-2.2 mmol/l; p=0.01). SSG level was similar before and after NSP (5.0+/-2.1 vs 5.0+/-1.8 mmol/l, respectively; p=0.91). There were not significant differences in cortisol levels between initial and final tests in both groups. In conclusion, 24-hr sleep deprivation decreased the insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects without changes in cortisol levels.