Just a couple of days working the night shift can disrupt the body’s protein rhythms, affecting blood sugar regulation, energy metabolism, and inflammation. These processes play a role in the development of chronic metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity. The findings offer insight into why night shift workers are more susceptible to these conditions. Although further research is necessary, the study indicates that these disrupted rhythms can emerge in as little as three days, highlighting the potential for early intervention to prevent diabetes and obesity. Such intervention could also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Working the night shift disrupts protein rhythms that affect blood glucose regulation, energy metabolism, and inflammation, which can impact the development of chronic metabolic conditions after just a few days.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has uncovered that this finding may explain why night shift workers are more susceptible to diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders.
“There are biological processes governed by the master clock in our brain that are also heightened in night shift workers,” said Hans van Dulmen, the lead author of the study.
They are suggesting that the body has its own internal rhythms that dictate when it’s day and when it’s night, and when these rhythms are disrupted, it can cause long-term health issues,” explained Hans Van Dongen, a professor at WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. He also mentioned that the study indicates that these disrupted rhythms can start to show effects in as little as three days, which means there is potential for early intervention to prevent diabetes and obesity. This intervention could also have a positive impact on stress levels.According to a study published in the Journal of Proteome Research, the risk of heart disease and stroke is higher in night shift workers. The study involved a controlled laboratory experiment where volunteers were placed on simulated night or day shift schedules for three days. After their last shift, the participants were kept awake for 24 hours under constant conditions to measure their internal biological rhythms. Blood samples taken at regular intervals were analyzed to identify proteins present.in insulin signaling and response to glucose were disrupted in the night shift workers. This disruption could potentially contribute to an increased risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes in individuals who work night shifts. The study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of shift work on the body’s internal processes and the potential health consequences that may arise as a result. The findings also suggest that interventions to mitigate the negative effects of shift work on metabolic health may be necessary for individuals working non-traditional hours. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between shift work, metabolic regulation, and overall health.Changes in insulin production and sensitivity, which typically collaborate to regulate glucose levels, were found to be out of sync in individuals working night shifts. The researchers suggested that this could be due to the body’s attempt to reverse the glucose fluctuations caused by the night shift. While this may be a protective response in the short term, as abnormal glucose levels can harm cells and organs, it could pose long-term issues. The study revealed distinct molecular patterns in volunteers with normal schedules compared to those with misaligned schedules.Jason McDermott, a computational scientist with PNNL’s Biological Sciences Division, stated that the study aimed to investigate how night shifts can affect the body’s internal clock at a molecular level, which had not been previously explored. The researchers plan to conduct further studies on real-world workers to determine if similar protein changes occur in long-term shift workers.
