Short sleeping time and psychobiological responses to acute stress

The aim of this study was to examine the association between self-reported sleeping time and psychobiological stress responses [3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), perceived stress responses]. Thirty seven healthy men and women were recruited, and participants were divided according to the habitual number of hours of sleep as follows: adequate sleepers (AS) (6–8 h sleep per night regularly) (N = 22) and short sleepers (SS) (less than 5 h sleep per night regularly) (N = 15). Salivary MHPG, s-IgA and perceived stress were measured at baseline, immediately after task and recovery period. An increase in free-MHPG during the task period was observed in AS although free-MHPG increased only after the task period in SS. The level of s-IgA in both groups significantly increased during the task period, and quickly returned to a basal level during the recovery period. The results show that less than 5 h of sleep was associated with different responsiveness to the Stroop color word conflict task compared to sufficient sleep, especially in the NA system.

Research Highlights
► This present study was designed to assess the relationship between self-reported sleeping time, psychobiological stress responses and performance during mental stress testing.
► ・An increase in free-MHPG during the task period was observed in AS although free-MHPG increased only after the task period in SS.
► ・The level of s-IgA in both groups significantly increased during the task period, and quickly returned to a basal level during the recovery period.
► ・5 h of sleep was associated with different responsiveness to the Stroop color word conflict task compared to sufficient sleep, especially in the NA system.