Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Shift work can worsen asthma, pneumonia

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Jul, 2014 07:31 AM
    A research has found that drugs widely used to treat lung diseases like asthma or pneumonia work better with the body clock.
     
    Once the ancient rhythm of our body clock is disturbed owing to artificial light, shift work and jet lag, medication to treat asthma and pneumonia can become ineffective, scientists said.
     
    The research led by professors David Ray and Andrew Loudon from University of Manchester found that cells lining the lung airways have their own body clock which is the time-keeper for lung inflammation -- both conditions cause swelling in the lungs.
     
    Researchers further discovered that more severe lung inflammation happens as a result of the loss of the body clock working in these cells.
     
    "We found a key molecule known as CXCL5 that facilitates lung inflammation which is a key regulator of how immune cells get into tissues. The loss of CXCL5 completely prevents the time of day regulation of lung inflammation which opens up new ways to treat lung diseases," Loudon said.
     
    During the research, the team uncovered how glucocorticoid hormones from the adrenal gland are vital in controlling the level of inflammation in the cells lining the airway.
     
    "This hormone works through the glucocorticoid receptor, a major regulator of gene expression. We wanted to find out, therefore, if glucocorticoid medicines would also show a time of day effect. Our research shows they do," Ray added.
     
    The team concluded that the rhythm of the clock in the lining of the cells in the lungs is important for lung diseases like asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
     
    Our bodies anticipate the change from day to night by having an internal, or circadian clock.
     
    This explains why it is hard to adjust to shift work.
     
    The body clock regulates sleep but now has been discovered to also regulate our immune system.
     
    The findings were published in the journal Nature Medicine.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Fibroscan can diagnose liver stiffness in Hepatitis cases

    Fibroscan can diagnose liver stiffness in Hepatitis cases
    With the number of Hepatitis B and C patients increasing in India, a hospital here launched a technique called fibroscan for the non-invasive...

    Fibroscan can diagnose liver stiffness in Hepatitis cases

    Lack of blood screening causing Hepatitis C

    Lack of blood screening causing Hepatitis C
    Vardhan Singh, a 65-year-old patient of acute anaemia, met with an accident 25 years ago. The grievous injuries he suffered and the loss of blood compelled...

    Lack of blood screening causing Hepatitis C

    Erotic thoughts key to female orgasm: Study

    Erotic thoughts key to female orgasm: Study
    Women who miss on orgasm should focus more on their their bodily sensations during intercourse and try to have more erotic thoughts during the act...

    Erotic thoughts key to female orgasm: Study

    Walking speed may detect Alzheimer's risk

    Walking speed may detect Alzheimer's risk
    How fast people walk and whether they have memory complaints can help predict dementia early, researchers have found....

    Walking speed may detect Alzheimer's risk

    Night lights can wake up breast cancer cells

    Night lights can wake up breast cancer cells
    Sleeping at night with the lights on can not only add to your energy consumption, but also wake up breast cancer cells, a study suggests....

    Night lights can wake up breast cancer cells

    Virus linked to obesity and diabetes found

    Virus linked to obesity and diabetes found
    Biologists have discovered an extremely widespread virus that could be as old as humans and could play a major role in obesity and diabetes...

    Virus linked to obesity and diabetes found