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tattoo can lead to lifelong changes in body’s immunity According to a new study, it also affects vaccine responses.
An international team of researchers has found that tattoo INK Affects by accumulation in lymph nodes body’s immunityIn findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
While studies have previously examined the toxicity of tattoo inks, Scientist Say this is the first time their effect on immune responses has been explored.
Using tattoos on rats, researchers found that the animals demonstrated chronic tattooing. Swelling There was “acute and long-lasting” death of macrophages (a type of white blood cell) in their lymph nodes, and an altered immune response to vaccination.
“This work represents the most comprehensive study to date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the practice of tattooing,” the team said, noting that at least one in five people globally has a tattoo.
“Our work emphasizes the need for further research to inform public health policies and regulatory frameworks regarding the safety of tattoo inks.”
Scientists were first surprised when they noticed that rats that had been tattooed for other experiments were showing swelling and decided to investigate further.
They used standard commercial inks of black, red and green to create tattoos on the skin of the rats’ hind legs. Using special imaging equipment, scientists observed that the ink traveled through lymphatic vessels to nearby lymph nodes, often within a few minutes, where it accumulated.
The researchers also noted that the ink appeared to affect the vaccination response, with a reduced response to the COVID-19 vaccine and an increased response to the UV-inactivated influenza vaccine, “reflecting differences in the mechanisms of action between these vaccine classes”.
The researchers concluded in their report, “One of the immediate concerns regarding tattoo safety concerns the potential redistribution of unused ink from the tattoo site to organs other than the skin and the toxic effects that may occur at the systemic level from the accumulation of these insoluble dyes.”
Importantly, the ink remains in the lymph nodes for life, even if the tattoo is removed.
“Given the seemingly unstoppable trend of tattooing in the population, our results are important in informing toxicology programs, policy makers, and the general public about the potential risk of tattoo practice associated with altered immune response,” the study authors wrote.
Extensive recent research has linked tattoos a type of cancer called lymphomaA study published in BMC Public Health found that people with large tattoos may have three times the risk of lymphoma compared to people without tattoos.