New Delhi, 25 May (IANS). A research team has discovered that the day’s light can increase our body’s strength to fight against diseases.
A study conducted by scientists at Wipapa Taumata Rau at the University of Auckland states that this discovery suggests that medicines can be made that can help our immunity system, especially by strengthening a special type of white blood cells, called ‘neutrophils’.
Researchers focus on neutrophils, which are the most found immune cells found in our body. These cells reach the location of infection very quickly and kill harmful bacteria. This discovery paves the way for the development of drugs enhancing their ability to fight infections by targeting the circadian clock in neutrophil.
In this research, scientists used a small fish called Zybra Fish. It is a freshwater fish and its texture is very similar to humans. Also, the activities inside its body can be easily seen.
Christopher Hall, Associate Professor of the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, stated that earlier studies had seen that the immunity of fish is most active in the morning. They feel that this is a natural process, because the organisms are more active during the day and the possibility of infection is also high at that time.
Scientists wanted to understand how this body reaction makes synergy with daylight.
This new study published in Science Immunology found that neutrophils have a biological clock, which recognizes day time and increases their strength to kill bacteria.
Most of our body cells have such a clock, which tells them what time is going on outside. This watch controls body functions according to day and night. The biggest effect in this is the light.
According to Christopher Hall, “Because neutrophils first reach an infection or inflamed area, this discovery can be helpful in treating many diseases.”
Now researchers are trying to know how Prakash affects this biological watch of neutrophils.
-IANS
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