Curcumin prevents neuronal loss and structural changes in the superior cervical (sympathetic) ganglion induced by chronic sleep deprivation, in the rat model

Abstract

Background: In modern societies, sleep deprivation is a serious health problem. This problem could be induced by a variety of reasons, including lifestyle habits or neurological disorders. Chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) could have complex biological consequences, such as changes in neural autonomic control, increased oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. The superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is an important sympathetic component of the autonomic nervous system. CSD can lead to a wide range of neurological consequences in SCG, which mainly supply innervations to circadian system and other structures. As the active component of Curcuma longa, curcumin possesses many therapeutic properties; including neuroprotective. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CSD on the SCG histomorphometrical changes and the protective effect of curcumin in preventing these changes. Methods: Thirty-six male rats were randomly assigned to the control, curcumin, CSD, CSD + curcumin, grid floor control, and grid floor + curcumin groups. The CSD was induced by a modified multiple platform apparatus for 21 days and animals were sacrificed at the end of CSD or treatment, and their SCGs removed for stereological and TUNEL evaluations and also spatial arrangement of neurons in this structure. Results: Concerning stereological findings, CSD significantly reduced the volume of SCG and its total number of neurons and satellite glial cells in comparison with the control animals (P < 0.05). Treatment of CSD with curcumin prevented these decreases. Furthermore, TUNEL evaluation showed significant apoptosis in the SCG cells in the CSD group, and treatment with curcumin significantly decreased this apoptosis (P < 0.01). This decrease in apoptosis was observed in all control groups that received curcumin. CSD also changed the spatial arrangement of ganglionic neurons into a random pattern, whereas treatment with curcumin preserved its regular pattern. Conclusions: CSD could potentially induce neuronal loss and structural changes including random spatial distribution in the SCG neurons. Deleterious effects of sleep deprivation could be prevented by the oral administration of curcumin. Furthermore, the consumption of curcumin in a healthy person might lead to a reduction of cell death.

Poria cocos water-soluble polysaccharide modulates anxiety-like behavior induced by sleep deprivation by regulating the gut dysbiosis, metabolic disorders and TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway

“…The rats in the other groups were placed in a water tank with multiple platforms for 21 days to induce chronic sleep deprivation (CSD), according to the Erfanizadeh's method. 26…”

“…The rats in the other groups were placed in a water tank with multiple platforms for 21 days to induce chronic sleep deprivation (CSD), according to the Erfanizadeh's method. 26 Rats in the positive control group received 0.18 mg kg −1 Estazolam tablets and those in the PCWP group received 100 mg kg −1 PCWP. Estazolam tablets and PCWP extract were dissolved in pure water.…”

A New Perspective on the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and Sleep Deprivation-Related Consequences: Can Curcumin Help?

“…A decrease in apoptosis was observed in all curcumin-applied control groups. As a result, it has been reported that the harmful effects of sleep deprivation can be prevented by curcumin-administered orally [ 141 ].…”

“…Although there are few studies on sleep deprivation with curcumin, the ones that have been done show that when given during sleep deprivation, antioxidant effective curcumin prevents platform sleep deprivation neuron loss in the rat cortices. However, only one research used stereological methods to assess cell loss [ 141 ]. Studies reported that sleep deprivation increases oxidative stress or that curcumin decreased oxidative stress in animals protected from sleep loss neural injury.…”

Curcumin and Its Affection for Sleep Deprivation

“…[19] The research has shown that the disturbed sleep-wake cycle (SD) has generated a DNA desecration response and neuronal death, crushing the neuronal augmentation, and decreasing the hippocampal gliogenesis and dendritic spines and length in different parts of the brain. [20] Sleep deprivation has known to be a destroyer of a variety of brain malfunctions, along with the reason of improper function of memory, depression, and psychosis. [19] Turmeric divides itself into three parts as known as far as curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and in bisdemethoxycurcumin controlling the effect of inflammation, cell growth, and apoptosis.…”