Rose D M, Jung D, Parera D, Konietzko J
Institut für Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin und Umweltmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Z Arztl Fortbild Qualitatssich. 1999 Oct;93(7):481-4.
Recurrent infections could be seen in frequent flyers indicating an impaired immune reaction after long-distance flights. The increase of the concentration of neopterin points to an activation of the cellular part of the immune system. In combination with the altered differential blood counts, the changes in the proliferation rate of lymphocytes and the immune phenotyping the increase of neopterin leads to an explanation of the down-regulation of the immune system after flights. The mild hypoxia on board of an aircraft triggers an increase of catecholamines and cortisol in serum. Catecholamines lead to a shift of leukocytes from different compartments to the circulating blood and to an activation of immune cells. Cortisol triggers the differentiation of a subgroup of T-Lymphocytes with a rise in TH2-helper cells and a down-regulation of TH1-cells. The latter ones are, however, essential for an induction of a reaction of the cellular immune system and so the function of the cellular part of the immune system will be reduced. If no infection occurs, the concentration of neopterin in serum will drop to normal.
经常乘坐长途航班的人可能会反复感染，这表明长途飞行后免疫反应受损。新蝶呤浓度的增加表明免疫系统的细胞部分被激活。结合血液分类计数的改变、淋巴细胞增殖率的变化以及免疫表型分析，新蝶呤的增加解释了飞行后免疫系统的下调。飞机上的轻度缺氧会导致血清中儿茶酚胺和皮质醇增加。儿茶酚胺会导致不同隔室的白细胞转移到循环血液中，并激活免疫细胞。皮质醇会触发T淋巴细胞亚群的分化，导致辅助性T2细胞增加，辅助性T1细胞下调。然而，后者对于诱导细胞免疫系统反应至关重要，因此细胞免疫系统的功能会降低。如果没有发生感染，血清中新蝶呤的浓度将降至正常。
