British scientists find that lack of sleep weakens immune system function

According to reports, scientists have found that lack of sleep can easily lead to illness, because the genetic mechanism regulating sleep - the biological clock controls the level of a gene that is important to the immune system.

Scientists from Yale University in the United States experimented with the TLR-9 gene in mice. Studies have shown that when this gene is most active, it responds best to bacteria and viruses. Rats increase their resistance to infectious diseases and respond better to vaccination. In theory, this research result also applies to people who have the same gene.

Researchers wrote in the magazine “Immunity” that the collapse of the biological clock makes people more vulnerable to illness. This means that jet lag is likely to be a direct cause of illness, and the ideal solution to this problem is vaccination. Prof. Erro Finklige said: "People intuitively know that sleep disruption is likely to make them sick."

He also pointed out that they will conduct more research in order to understand the adverse effects of intensive care unit noise and artificial light on patients. He said: "When patients sleep in the intensive care unit, they often get awakened by the noise and the permanent irradiation of artificial lights. It is very important to understand the impact of these factors on the immune system."