Sleep Deprivation in Humans, Immunodepression and Glutamine Supplementation

Abstract : This report results from a contract tasking University of Oxford as follows: The Grantee will investigate the immunological response of subjects to one night of sleep deprivation with respect to the following areas (I) Are the cytokines linked with eosinophils neutrophils and lymphocytes cell types which are known to be affected by sleep deprivation changed in terms of intracellular cytokine production? (2) What is the psychoneurological link between the apparent immunodepression and cognitive impairment? (3) What is the mechanism for the noticeable decrease in plasma leptin? These results have important implications for long haul aircrews troops deployed across time zones and shift workers and may lead to changes in immunization practices in order to optimize immune responses In combination with data on individual immune phenotypes emerging from other studies it may be possible to provide protective and supplemental measures to boost immune responses under stress.