Neurobehavioral and physiological changes in pregnant rats following REM sleep deprivation model

Year 2026, Volume: 39 Issue: 1, 67 - 72, 28.01.2026

Özlem Kirazlı , Sevdenur Yazi İrem Peker Eyuboglu , Sercan Doğukan Yıldız

https://doi.org/10.5472/marumj.1873511

https://izlik.org/JA62PD93YH

Abstract

Objective: Sleep is a fundamental physiological process regulated by complex interactions, with interleukins (ILs) playing a key role
in linking the immune system to sleep-wake cycles. Disruptions in this balance, often involving proinflammatory cytokines like IL-1β
and IL-6, contribute to various sleep and neuroinflammatory disorders.
Materials and Methods: This study investigated the effects of REM sleep deprivation (SD) using the multi-platform technique in
pregnant rats for 21 days, followed by behavioral and immunological assays. Rats were subjected to 18 hours of deprivation daily but
allowed 6 hours of recovery sleep.
Results: Behavioral testing showed that SD rats exhibited significantly lower locomotor activity (distance and ambulatory activity)
compared to controls, indicating reduced general motor functions. However, the Elevated Plus Maze revealed no significant difference
in anxiety-like behavior between the groups.
Conclusion: ELISA results demonstrated a statistically significant elevation of both IL-15 and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10
in the SD group. The elevated IL-15 level is interpreted as a marker of potential nerve damage. The increase in IL-10 is suggested to
be a counter-regulatory response to rising pro-inflammatory markers such as IFN-γ, which was also found to be higher, though not
significantly.

Keywords

Sleep deprivation , Interleukin , Neuroinflammation

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