Cardiovascular Effects of Partial Sleep Deprivation

Background: Sleep curtailment is common and is associated with increased mortality due to cardiovascular causes. However, the mechanisms are not completely understood.We hypothesized that partial sleep deprivation caused however significant changes in sympathetic activity and endothelial function in healthy volunteers. Methods: Thirteen young healthy male volunteers will be monitored during 12 days by sleep diary and wrist actigraphy. The subjects will keep under their usual daily activities and randomized to 5 nights of prolonged sleep (control) or partial sleep deprivation, interposed by 2 nights of unrestricted sleep (wash out). At the end of each period, the subjects will be evaluate by: 1. electrocardiogram and beat-to-beat blood pressure with spectral analysis of heart rate and blood pressure in the supine position and after head up tilt test maneuver; 2. resting plasma norepinephrine; 3. venous endothelial function (dorsal hand vein technique).