Xiamen University-affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Department of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
Xiamen University-affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Fujian Engineering and Research Center of Eye Regenerative Medicine, Eye Institute of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, China.
Am J Pathol. 2024 Feb;194(2):307-320. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.11.004.
Sleep deprivation (SD) is a global public health burden, and has a detrimental role in the nervous system. Retina is an important part of the central nervous system; however, whether SD affects retinal structures and functions remains largely unknown. Herein, chronic SD mouse model indicated that loss of sleep for 4 months could result in reductions in the visual functions, but without obvious morphologic changes of the retina. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscope revealed the deterioration of mitochondria, which was accompanied with the decrease of multiple mitochondrial proteins in the retina. Mechanistically, oxidative stress was provoked by chronic SD, which could be ameliorated after rest, and thus restore retinal homeostasis. Moreover, the supplementation of two antioxidants, α-lipoic acid and N-acetyl-l-cysteine, could reduce retinal reactive oxygen species, repair damaged mitochondria, and, as a result, improve the retinal functions. Overall, this work demonstrated the essential roles of sleep in maintaining the integrity and health of the retina. More importantly, it points towards supplementation of antioxidants as an effective intervention strategy for people experiencing sleep shortages.
睡眠剥夺（SD）是全球公共健康负担，对神经系统有不良影响。视网膜是中枢神经系统的重要组成部分；然而，SD 是否影响视网膜结构和功能在很大程度上尚不清楚。在此，慢性 SD 小鼠模型表明，睡眠剥夺 4 个月可导致视觉功能下降，但视网膜形态无明显变化。透射电镜的超微结构分析显示，线粒体恶化，伴有视网膜中多种线粒体蛋白减少。在机制上，慢性 SD 会引发氧化应激，休息后可以得到改善，从而恢复视网膜的内稳态。此外，两种抗氧化剂α-硫辛酸和 N-乙酰半胱氨酸的补充可以减少视网膜内的活性氧，修复受损的线粒体，从而改善视网膜功能。总的来说，这项工作表明了睡眠在维持视网膜完整性和健康方面的重要作用。更重要的是，它指出补充抗氧化剂是一种针对睡眠不足人群的有效干预策略。
