Dual Deficiency of Melatonin and Dihydrotestosterone Promotes Stromal Cell Damage and Mediates Prostatitis via the cGAS-STING Pathway in Sleep-Deprived Mice
March 2024
in “
Cell communication and signaling
”
TLDR Lack of sleep in mice leads to prostatitis by reducing certain hormones and activating an inflammatory pathway, which can be temporarily fixed with normal sleep.
The study investigates the impact of sleep deprivation (SD) on prostatitis in mice, focusing on the roles of melatonin (MT) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). SD led to reduced levels of these hormones, causing oxidative stress and mitochondrial DNA release, which activated the cGAS-STING pathway. This pathway recruited inflammatory cells to the prostate, promoting inflammation and prostatitis. Mice recovered after 7 days of normal sleep but relapsed quickly upon subsequent SD. The findings highlight the cGAS-STING pathway as a key player in SD-related prostatitis and suggest potential therapeutic targets, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate MT and DHT levels.