We know that our body regenerates itself while we sleepprocessed the impressions of the day. Sleep researchers at the University of Manchester have now explained for the first time exactly how sleep affects the body's cells and prepares us for the day ahead.
The mouse study published in “Nature Cell Biology” shows how the internal clock helps our body get through the day. And because we know that biorhythms change as we age, lead author Professor Karl Kadler says the discovery could one day help unlock some of the mysteries of aging.
The discovery sheds light on the body's extracellular matrix, which structurally and biochemically supports cells in the form of connective tissue such as bone, skin, tendons and cartilage. Over half of our body weight consists of this matrix, which is mainly made up of collagen.
Now researchers have discovered that there are two types of root fibers - the rope-like collagen structures that cells woven into tissues.
Thicker root fibers with a diameter of around 200 nanometers – a million times smaller than the head of a pin – accompany us through life and remain unchanged until the age of 17.
Thinner root fibers, on the other hand, are 50 nanometers in size and break sacrificially when we subject our bodies to the rigors of everyday life. But these recover again during sleep.
The collagen was observed by mass spectrometry and the root fibers of the mice by volumetric electron microscopy every 4 hours for 2 days.
“Collagen provides structure to the body and is our most abundant protein, ensuring the integrity, elasticity and strength of the body’s connective tissue,” said Professor Kadler.
“It is intuitive to think that our matrix should wear out over time, but this is not the case, and now we know why: our internal clock is an element that makes sacrifices but can be renewed again to the permanent ones To protect parts of the matrix.
He added: "Just like you need to top up oil or coolant in your car, these thin root fibers help maintain the body's matrix."
“Knowing this could have implications for understanding our biology at its most fundamental level. For example, it could give us deeper insight into how wounds heal or how we age.
