Severe Sleep Loss Affects Immune System Like Physical Stress Does- study

Monday 2nd July 2012

Researchers in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have reported in the journal SLEEP that sleep deprivation and stress have similar effects on the immune system.

The research conducted at Erasmus MC University Medical Centre Rotterdam, and the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, compared the number of white blood cells in 15 healthy young adult males who were subjected to normal sleep and severe sleep loss.

The 15 young men had to follow a strict regime which aimed to stabilise their internal body clock and bring sleep deprivation down to a minimum. They had 8 hours sleep every day for a week- their white blood cells were categorized and measured. 90 minutes after waking up they were exposed to 15 minutes of outdoor light. Finally they were instructed not to drink any caffeinated drink, alcohol or take any medication.

The scientists compared the participants' white cell counts during their usual sleep/wake cycle week to the count during the second part of the experiment when the men were made to spend 29 hours without any sleep at all. The greatest impact was on a type of white blood cell that contain enzymes for digesting micro organisms called granulocytes, which lost their day-to-night time rhythmicity as numbers shot up, especially during the night time period. Lead author, Katrin Ackermann, PhD, said “"The granulocytes reacted immediately to the physical stress of sleep loss and directly mirrored the body's stress response."

Prior studies have also found links between sleep deprivation and the development of certain diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. These other studies have shown that long-term sleep loss has major risk factors for the immune system and that problems can arise. It has also been found that adequate sleep can help maintain a healthy immune system.

Tags: sleep research deprivation

Category: Sleep Research

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