Abstract
BackgroundRecent studies suggest that acute sleep deprivation disrupts cellular immune responses by shifting T helper (Th) cell activity towards a Th2 cytokine profile. Since little is known about more long-term effects, we investigated how five days of sleep restriction would affect pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, Th1- and Th2 cytokine secretion.MethodsNine healthy males participated in an experimental sleep protocol with two baseline sleep-wake cycles (sleep 23.00 – 07.00 h) followed by 5 days with restricted sleep (03.00 – 07.00 h). On the second baseline day and on the fifth day with restricted sleep, samples were drawn every third hour for determination of cytokines/chemokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) -1β, IL-2, IL-4 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)) after in vitro stimulation of whole blood samples with the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Also leukocyte numbers, mononuclear cells and cortisol were analysed. Results5-days of sleep restriction affected PHA-induced immune responses in several ways. There was a general decrease of IL-2 production (p<.05). A shift in Th1/Th2 cytokine balance was also evident, as determined by a decrease in IL2/IL4 ratio. No other main effects of restricted sleep were shown. Two significant interactions showed that restricted sleep resulted in increased TNF-α and MCP-1 in the late evening and early night hours (p’s<.05). In addition, all variables varied across the 24 h day.Conclusions5-days of sleep restriction is characterized by a shift towards Th2 activity (i.e. lower 1L-2/IL-4 ratio) which is similar to the effects of acute sleep deprivation and psychological stress. This may have implications for people suffering from conditions characterized by excessive Th2 activity like in allergic disease, such as asthma, for whom restricted sleep could have negative consequences.
Highlights
It is commonly believed that sleep supports immune function, and that lack of sleep increases the risk for infections [1,2,3]
Levels of TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were elevated across the midnight hours when subjects were kept awake during the fifth day of shortened sleep
The study demonstrated reduced IL-2 responses, largely confined to daytime, after five days with restricted sleep. This resulted in a lowered IL-2/IL-4-ratio, suggesting a switch towards Th2 as a result of restricted sleep
Summary
It is commonly believed that sleep supports immune function, and that lack of sleep increases the risk for infections [1,2,3]. If sleep deprivation persists for 60 hours, both NK cell numbers and NK cell activity are increased [7]. This suggests that the effects of sleep deprivation on NK function is related to the degree of sleep deprivation. Occurring short sleep has, on the other hand, been shown to relate to increased T-cell function [12] These studies are, limited to the acute effects of either restricted or total sleep loss. Recent studies suggest that acute sleep deprivation disrupts cellular immune responses by shifting T helper (Th) cell activity towards a Th2 cytokine profile. Since little is known about more long-term effects, we investigated how five days of sleep restriction would affect pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, Th1- and Th2 cytokine secretion
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