Study reveals gut’s role in causing death by sleep deprivation

Great news! At least for those who are afflicted with something like chronic sleep deprivation or similar! Apparently, it took decades for this discovery. The negative health effects of prolonged sleep deprivation are devastating!
It appears as if this condition now can be easily diagnosed and treated!
Melatonin might even be a remedy!

"In a study on sleep-deprived fruit flies, published in Cell on June 4, researchers found that death is always preceded by the accumulation of molecules known as reactive oxidative species (ROS) in the gut. ... The guts of sleep-deprived flies had a dramatic buildup of ROS — highly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules that in large amounts can damage DNA and other components within cells, leading to cell death. The accumulation of ROS peaked around day 10 of sleep deprivation, and when deprivation was stopped, ROS levels decreased. ... They tested dozens of compounds with antioxidant properties known to neutralize ROS and identified 11 that, when given as a food supplement, allowed sleep-deprived flies to have a normal or near-normal lifespan. These compounds, such as melatonin, lipoic acid and NAD, were particularly effective at clearing ROS from the gut."

Study reveals gut’s role in causing death by sleep deprivation – Harvard Gazette Fruit fly study reveals gut’s role in causing death by sleep deprivation