Sometimes it’s the most simple things that make the biggest impact.
A new study by scientists at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, used zebrafish to look at how light and our circadian rhythm have a direct impact on our cells’ ability to fight disease. Published in Science Immunology, the study found that a type of white blood cell, called neutrophils, move quickly to the site of an infection. This happened the fastest in the early hours of the day.
But how was this happening?
They discovered neutrophils have their own circadian rhythm, the sleep-wake cycle we depend on to go to bed every night. The cells would be most active and kill the most bacteria during the “wake” time, which means when light is present.
Future research on how to target the circadian rhythm could lead to more knowledge and understanding of how to tackle disease faster.
So, get outside and get those cells moving!