IL-6 after wake-up in human males: Exposure to red versus blue light and the interplay with cortisol

Light is essential in shaping human circadian rhythms, including that of the hormone cortisol. While cortisol is known to influence secretion of the cytokine IL-6, the influence of light itself on IL-6 remains unclear. Thus, this study investigated the effects of two light conditions – red and blue – on IL-6 concentrations and the cortisol awakening response in blood. The interplay between cortisol and IL-6 was explored as well. The between-subject experiment was conducted with 71 healthy adult men (aged M_red = 24.30, SD = 3.56; M_blue = 24.40, SD = 3.51) in a standardized sleep laboratory setting with 60-min light exposure post-awakening at 05:00 a.m. Two mixed models, with light condition and time across measurement points as factors, were calculated. In the one for cortisol, chronotype was introduced as a covariate. Mean cortisol concentrations did not differ between exposure to red vs. blue light (p = 0.443), but overall cortisol output (area under the curve with respect to ground; AUC_G) and sensitivity (area under the curve with respect to increase; AUC_I) were greater in the blue-light condition (p = 0.050 and p < 0.001, respectively). Additionally, chronotype significantly influenced cortisol concentrations (p = 0.035). As for IL-6, a main effect of time was obtained, with increasing concentrations over time (p = 0.002). Total IL-6 secretion was greater under blue-light exposure (p <. 001), but mean IL-6 concentrations (p = 0.230) and IL-6 sensitivity (p = 0.777) did not differ between the red- and blue-light condition. Mean and total cortisol and IL-6 concentrations were significantly negatively correlated (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001, respectively) during the red-light exposure. In the blue-light condition, cortisol sensitivity was significantly negatively correlated with IL-6 sensitivity (p = 0.034). Overall, blue light seemed to have exerted a greater influence on cortisol and IL-6. For cortisol, this effect might be moderated by chronotype. Additionally, cortisol and IL-6 seem to interact under light exposure. However, these effects were mixed and could not be found consistently across mean secretion, AUCg and AUCi.