Chronic Sleep Loss May Cause Cellular-Level Changes and Impact Immune System

Chronic Sleep Loss , May Cause Cellular-Level Changes , and Impact Immune System.

A study suggests that regularly getting too little sleep may harm immune stem cells and potentially increase the risk of inflammatory disorders and heart disease.

NBC reports that the findings were published in the 'Journal of Experimental Medicine.'

.

Researchers analyzed the blood of 14 volunteers who agreed to shorten their sleep times by 90 minutes every night for six weeks.

Analysis revealed long-term changes in the way stem cells behaved, including an increase in white blood cells that cause inflammation.

The key message from this study is that sleep lessens inflammation and loss of sleep increases inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.

In subjects who had undergone sleep restriction, the number of immune cells circulating in the blood was higher.

These cells are key players in inflammation, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.

Researchers at Mount Sinai suggest the changes observed in the study reflect the natural process of human aging.

As a natural consequence of aging, we lose diversity.

By interrupting sleep, we are speeding up the process of aging, Filip Swirski, study co-author and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai, via NBC.

Less diversity among immune cells limits the immune system's ability to function.

While this process happens naturally, losing sleep appears to accelerate aging.

The team's findings suggest that damage to stem cells can be worsened with repeated bouts of restricted sleep.

.

The team's findings suggest that damage to stem cells can be worsened with repeated bouts of restricted sleep.