Bacopa Monnieri Mitigated Sleep Deprivation Induced Thyroid Affection in Adult Male Albino Rats. Possible Role of Beclin 1-Mediated Autophagy.

Introduction: Sleep deprivation (SD) is a widespread health problem that challenges different social classes as it hazards physical and psychological wellbeing. Serious side effects of SD were reported on the thyroid gland. Bacopa monnieri (BM) shows potential to minimize inflammation and oxidative stress induced thyroid damage. Aim: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of BM in sleep deprivation induced thyroid affection. Material and Methods: Rats were allocated into these groups: the control, the sleep deprivation (exposed to partial SD for 21 days), the BM treated (received 200 mg/kg/day orally for a month after SD), and spontaneous recovery groups. Blood samples and thyroid glands were analyzed biochemically and histologically. Morphometric analysis was done for the quantification of collagen fibers area percentage, optical density and area percentage of PAS reaction. Results: SD caused marked thyroid affection; decreased thyroid hormones secretion with marked elevation of TSH. Lipid peroxidation products were increased along with decrease in the total antioxidant capacity and Beclin 1 levels. Marked structural alteration as loss of regularity and fusion of the distorted follicles with decreased colloid were noticed. Follicular cells appeared ballooned, vacuolated with dark shrunken nuclei and dilated perinuclear cisterna, distorted mitochondria, numerous lysosomes, defective junctional complexes and microvilli. Marked collagen fibers deposition and decreased colloid were noticed. Treatment with BM caused marked thyroid function improvement on structural and hormonal levels with improvement in Beclin 1 level. Conclusion: BM therapy restored a nearly normal thyroid gland structure and function in addition to improving the markers of autophagy and antioxidant status.