Aim: To study the interaction between sleep deprivation and immune functions in mice.
Methods: To set up the uncompleted sleep deprivation of mice by means of lighting mimicked with whole day and dark box done with whole night for 2 weeks and to deprive the mice of sleep in the rotating cage for 24 h and 72 h. All mice are challenge with BSA before sleep deprivation. The spleen weight of mice was measured by analytic balance. The count of T subpopulation was detected with FACS. The levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-10 and the concentration of the specific antibody to BSA was detected by ELISA method.
Results: Compared with the normal control, the spleen weight of mice in all the other experimental groups was decreased (P<0.05) except those of lighting group. Decrease of CD8+ T lymphocyte was observed (P<0.01) while the ratio CD4/CD8 increased greatly. Augmentation of IL-10 was demonstrated only in the all-light group, both IL-2 and IL-10 decreased (P<0.01) in the other groups. Significant decrease of specific antibody for BSA was found in the mice of sleep deprived group (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Complete and incomplete sleep deprivation inhibit differently the immune function of mice by triggering decrease of CD8+ T cells, inhibiting secretion of specific antibody and causing disturbance on the pattern of cytokines.