Bone Turnover Markers After Six Nights of Insufficient Sleep and Subsequent Recovery Sleep in Healthy Men

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to determine the bone turnover marker (BTM) response to insufficient and subsequent recovery sleep, independent of changes in posture, body weight, and physical activity. METHODS: Healthy men (N = 12) who habitually slept 7-9 h/night were admitted to an inpatient sleep laboratory for a baseline 8 h/night sleep opportunity followed by six nights of insufficient sleep (5 h/night). Diet, physical activity and posture were controlled. Serum markers of bone formation (osteocalcin, PINP) and resorption (β-CTX) were obtained over 24-h at baseline and on the last night of sleep restriction, and on fasted samples obtained daily while inpatient and five times after discharge over 3 weeks. Maximum likelihood estimates in a repeated measures model were used to assess the effect of insufficient and subsequent recovery sleep on BTM levels. RESULTS: There was no statistically or clinically significant change in PINP (p = 0.53), osteocalcin (p = 0.66) or β-CTX (p = 0.10) in response to six nights of insufficient sleep. There were no significant changes in BTMs from the inpatient stay through three weeks of recovery sleep (all p ≥ 0.63). On average, body weight was stable during the inpatient stay (Δweight = −0.55 ± 0.91 kg, p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: No significant changes in serum BTMs were observed after six nights of insufficient or subsequent recovery sleep in young healthy men. Changes in weight and physical activity may be required to observe significant BTM change in response to sleep and circadian disruptions.