Sleep fragmentation increases blood pressure and is associated with alterations in the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome in rats

The gut microbiota, via the production of metabolites entering the circulation, plays a role in blood pressure regulation. Blood pressure is also affected by the characteristics of sleep. To date, no studies have examined relationships between the gut microbiota/metabolites, blood pressure, and sleep. We hypothesized that fragmented sleep is associated with elevated mean arterial pressure, an altered and dysbiotic gut microbial community, and changes in fecal metabolites. In our model system, rats were randomized to 8h of sleep fragmentation during the rest phase (light-phase) or were undisturbed (controls) for 28 consecutive days. Rats underwent sleep and blood pressure recordings, and fecal samples were analyzed during: baseline (days -4 to -1), early sleep fragmentation (days 0–3), mid-sleep fragmentation (days 6–13), late sleep fragmentation (days 20–27), and recovery/rest (days 28–34). Baseline includes 7 control and 8 SF rats (3 replicates per animal); Early SF includes 7 control and 8 SF rats (2 replicates per animal); Mid SF includes 7 control and 8 SF rats (3 replicates per animal); Late SF includes 7 control and 6 SF rats (2 replicates per animal); and Recovery/Rest includes 5 control and 5 SF rats (3 replicates per animal). Contact: Katherine Maki. This submission was powered by METAGENOTE (https://metagenote.niaid.nih.gov).