Combined and Isolated Effects of Alcohol Intake and One Night of Sleep Deprivation on Mood States, Hormonal and Inflammatory Responses in Healthy Male Adults: a Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

Alcohol (ALC) intake and sleep deprivation (SDP) are conditions that cause changes in the physiological status. However, the relationship between biological markers and mood states is not entirely clear yet. The purpose of the study was to compare isolated and combined effects of ALC intake and SDP on hormonal and inflammatory responses and in changes in the state of mood. Also, we intended to explain possible changes in mood states through biochemical variations using multiple stepwise regression analysis. Ten healthy male were randomized in four situations: (1) placebo intake + normal sleep (PLA + SLE); (2) ALC intake + SLE; (3) PLA intake + SDP; (4) ALC intake + SDP. While subjects ingested ALC (1 g/kg of beer), PLA intake was a non-alcoholic beer. The subjects had one night of SLE or were subjected to SDP in the lab for 8 h. After each experimental condition, morning blood samples were taken for assessments of serum levels of glucose, cortisol, testosterone, epinephrine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and C-reactive protein (CRP). The subjects were also asked to fill in a Profile of Mood State questionnaire. The results showed that the glucose level was significant lower in ALC + SDP compared to the PLA + SLE condition. Total Mood Disturbance was lower in ALC + SDP and PLA + SDP compared to the PLA + SLE condition. Fatigue was higher under SDP conditions compared to PLA + SLE. Vigor was lower under the ALC + SDP condition compared to the PLA + SLE condition. Regression analysis showed that Total Mood Disturbance and fatigue under ALC + SDP were associated with changes in the cortisol levels. Our results showed that combined and isolated ALC intake and one night of SDP did not change the hormonal and inflammatory responses tested, and the combined effects caused a reduction in the glucose levels. Vigor, fatigue and Total Mood Disturbance were affected by each condition. Furthermore, Total Mood Disturbance and fatigue were possibly explained by changes in the cortisol levels in the combined condition.