British Study: Oxygen Deficiency Weakens the Immune System

A new British medical study has revealed that low oxygen levels in the body do not only affect the respiratory system but also cause deep and long-lasting disruptions in the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections even after normal breathing is restored.

According to the findings by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, oxygen deficiency triggers genetic and structural changes within immune cells known as neutrophils, which are among the body’s first lines of defense against microbes. These alterations weaken the cells’ ability to recognize and effectively attack pathogens.

The research team based their study on the analysis of blood samples from patients who had recovered from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), as well as from individuals living in high-altitude regions known for their low oxygen levels.

The scientists discovered that oxygen deprivation activates a complex biological process called “histone clipping”, which alters DNA organization and leads to the silencing or activation of certain genes responsible for immune responses.

The study also highlighted that these changes are not limited to the immune cells already present in the blood but also extend to stem cells within the bone marrow, meaning that oxygen deficiency can reprogram the immune system in the long term.

Experts believe these findings may explain why some patients continue to experience weakened immunity even after recovering from severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or COVID-19. They suggest that understanding this mechanism could help develop preventive therapies to restore immune balance after respiratory crises.