[Effects of complete and incomplete sleep deprivation on immune function of mice].

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.