Goodnight mouse: sleep and sepsis

Abstract: Sleep plays a vital role in mammalian physiology. Adequate sleep promotes a healthy immune response, which helps the body fight infections. In the hospital setting, patient sleep is often interrupted due to nighttime nursing care, noise, and artificial light. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in US hospitals. This condition

develops when an infection induces a dysregulated immune response, culminating in organ dysfunction. Despite modern medical treatments, the mortality rate for severe sepsis remains very high (30-50%). Prior reports suggest that sleep interruption exacerbates sepsis in mice, increasing animal mortality. However,

the mechanisms behind these effects have not been elucidated. This proposal will confirm that sleep interruption exacerbates sepsis in mice, and determine the mechanism of this effect. The knowledge gained will create a foundation for future studies that investigate the intersection between sepsis and sleep in humans.

Ultimately, septic patients may benefit from interventions to improve their sleep quantity and quality, or pharmacological interventions to reverse the effects of poor sleep. Additionally, this proposal will provide training opportunities for students enrolled in the MSc program at TTUHSC at El Paso Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The population of El Paso is 80% Hispanic and

our MSc program enrolls a high percentage of under-represented minority students, including minority women. By participating in this project, our students will gain critical research experience, acquiring skills for in vivo and in vitro research techniques, data analysis and statistical analysis, and will gain the opportunity to present their

research at a national conference. These activities will greatly enhance their career opportunities and strengthen the infrastructure of research and education at TTHSC at El Paso.