Sleep deprivation (SD) triggers mitochondrial dysfunction and neural inflammation, leading to cognitive impairment and mental issues. However, the mechanism involving mitochondrial dysfunction and neural inflammation still remains unclear. Here, we report that SD rats exhibited multiple behavioral disorders, brain oxidative stress, and robust brain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) oxidation. In particular, SD activated microglia and microglial mtDNA efflux to the cytosol and provoked brain pro-inflammatory cytokines. We observed that the mtDNA efflux and pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly reduced with the suppression of the mtDNA oxidation. With the treatment of a novel mitochondrial nutrient, hydroxytyrosol butyrate (HTHB), the SD-induced behavioral disorders were significantly ameliorated while mtDNA oxidation, mtDNA release, and NF-κB activation were remarkably alleviated in both the rat brain and the N9 microglial cell line. Together, these results indicate that microglial mtDNA oxidation and the resultant release induced by SD mediate neural inflammation and HTHB prevents mtDNA oxidation and efflux, providing a potential treatment for SD-induced mental issues.

The prevalence of sleep deprivation is increasing worldwide. Despite the vital roles that the liver plays in metabolism and immune response, hepatic dysfunctions in acute sleep deprivation (ASD) and chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) remain underexplored. Additionally, the effects of the newly developed chalcone analog, 1-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-acrylketone (TAK), were evaluated as a potential therapeutic chemical for mitigating SD-induced hepatic damage. A modified multi-platform method was employed to prepare animal models of 72 h ASD and 21-day CSD in rats. TAK (50 mg/kg/day) was administered through irrigation starting one week before the experiment and continuing until the end. ASD triggered hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation, whereas CSD resulted in pathological portal area expansion and fibrosis, with comparatively fewer disturbances in liver metabolism and inflammation. TAK effectively alleviated ASD-induced disruptions in glycogen synthesis via PI3K/AKT/GSK3/GYS2 pathways, abnormal lipid accumulation via SREBP1/FASN/ACC, liver inflammation by balancing M1 and M2 macrophages, and liver fibrosis induced by ASD/CSD. This study provides valuable insights into the different mechanisms of liver damage induced by severe ASD and mild CSD. Additionally, TAK has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for ultimate SD-related hepatic complications.