Journal of Evolutionary Biochemistry and Physiology · Apr 2026
Sleep Deprivation Impairs Endothelial Markers and Exacerbates Myocardial Ischemic Injury in Aged Female Rats
By Bahgat NM, El Rahman SMMA, ElSayed MH et al.
The study evaluates the impact of partial sleep deprivation for 4 weeks on the outcome of myocardial ischemic injury in aged female rats. Sleep-deprivation was performed by insomnia 5 days/week for 4 weeks, then myocardial infarction was induced in aged female rats (24–26 months) by isoproterenol injection. Induction of insomnia in myocardial infarcted rats showed a significant worsening in the values of electrocardiography, mean blood pressure, and contractility indices. This group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum cardiac troponin I, glucose, and insulin, increased insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, significantly elevated aortic tissue oxidative and inflammatory markers, endothelial dysfunction, and decreases in the aortic tissue levels of BCL2. This suggests that insomnia in elderly women could exacerbate the progression of ischemic heart diseases, such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. The underlying mechanisms may involve endothelial dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.