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Chronic Sleep Restriction Outcome on the Volumetric Correlates, Neuronal and Glial Number of the Hypoglossal Nucleus in a Rat Model (Preprint)


 BACKGROUND
 Chronic sleep restriction (CSR) is known to result in various changes in brain structures including the dorsal respiratory nuclei of the brain stem. Obstructive sleep apnea has partly been resulted from reduced tone of the muscles including the tongue which are involved in maintaining airway patency during sleep.
 
 
 OBJECTIVE
 This study aimed at investigating whether CSR may result in structural changes in the hypoglossal nerve nuclei.
 
 
 METHODS
 Three groups of male rats (each comprising 6) were randomly assigned to CSR, cage control and grid-floor control groups. CSR was imposed using the modified multi-platform box containing water for 18 hours/day for 21 days. At the end of 21 days, the rats’ brain was removed and stained through the modified Giemsa method. The hypoglossal nucleus (HGN) was evaluated through stereological approach.
 
 
 RESULTS
 The volume of HGN as well as the total number of neuronal and glial cells did not show significant differences between the cage control and the other groups (p=0.3).
 
 
 CONCLUSIONS
 The current study provided evidence to support that CSR induced by the modified multiple platform approach for 18 hours/day over 21 days in rats, neither results in volume reduction, nor neuronal and glial cells loss in the hypoglossal nuclei in the brain stem.
