Shift Workers at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome

Diet/photoperiod mediated changes in cerebellar clock genes causes locomotor shifts and imperative changes in BDNF-TrkB pathway

Neuropsychological studies report anxiety and depression like symptoms in patients suffering from lifestyle disorder but its impact on locomotor function lacks clarity. Our study investigates locomotor deficits resulting due to perturbations in cerebellum of high fat diet (HFD), chronodisruption (CD) or a combination (HCD) model of lifestyle disorder. Significant downregulation in levels of cerebellar clock genes (Bmal-1, Clock, Per 1 and Per 2) and Bdnf-Trkb pathway genes (Bdnf, TrkB and Syn1 levels) were recorded. Further, locomotor deficits were observed in all the three experimental groups as evidenced by actimeter test, pole test and wire hanging test. Nuclear pyknosis of Purkinje cells, their derangement and inflammation were the hallmark of cerebellar tissue of all the three experimental groups. Taken together, this study generates important links between cerebellar clock oscillations, locomotor function and Bdnf-TrkB signaling.

Association between Sleep Duration, Social Jetlag, and the Metabolic Syndrome by Shift Works

Lifestyle factors, including sleep characteristics, have been implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome, particularly among shift workers. This study aimed to explore the relationship between shift work, sleep duration, social jetlag, and the risk of metabolic syndrome among U.S. workers and the moderating effect of sleep duration and social jetlag on this relationship. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2017-2020 March were analyzed. Poisson regression models were employed to examine associations. Among 4136 U.S. workers, 53.3% had metabolic syndrome, with a higher proportion of shift workers (63.8% vs. 56.7%, p = 0.001) and those sleeping less than 6 h or more than 9 h per week (22.3% vs. 19.1%, p = 0.044) in the affected group. Shift workers were initially found to have an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (Coef. = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.16); however, this association was mitigated when accounting for the interaction with social jetlag. Specifically, 1 to <2 h of social jetlag interacted significantly, increasing metabolic risk (Coef. = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.22), whereas 1 to <2 h alone showed a protective effect (Coef. = -0.11, 95% CI: -0.17, -0.06). These findings suggest that optimizing sleep schedules and addressing social jetlag may be crucial in mitigating metabolic syndrome risks among shift workers.

Metabolic Syndrome and Its Related Factors among Hospital Employees: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Several studies have reported on metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on cross-sectional designs, which cannot show a long-term result. Information is lacking on MetS and related factors based on a longitudinal cohort. This study aimed to examine the relationship between MetS and related factors for a total of six years among hospital employees. A population-based study was conducted, including 746 staff. A total of 680 staff without MetS in 2012 were enrolled in the analysis for repeated measurement of six years of the longitudinal cohort. Data were retrieved from the hospital’s Health Management Information System. Analyses were performed using Student’s t-test, chi-square test, logistic regression, and generalised estimating equations. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Hospital employees aged between 31 and 40 (odds ratio (OR) = 4.596, p = 0.009), aged between 41 and 50 (OR = 7.866, p = 0.001), aged greater than 50 (OR = 10.312, p < 0.001), with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0~29.9 kg/m² (OR = 3.934, p < 0.001), a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (OR = 13.197, p < 0.001), higher level of white blood counts (β = 0.177, p = 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (β = 0.013, p = 0.002), and uric acid (β = 0.223, p = 0.005) were at risk of being diagnosed with MetS. The identification of at-risk hospital employees and disease management programs addressing MetS-related factors are of great importance in hospital-based interventions.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Key Emphasis on Melatonin Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy

Viral infections constitute a tectonic convulsion in the normophysiology of the hosts. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is not an exception, and therefore the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, like any other invading microbe, enacts a generalized immune response once the virus contacts the body. Melatonin is a systemic dealer that does not overlook any homeostasis disturbance, which consequently brings into play its cooperative triad, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulant backbone, to stop the infective cycle of SARS-CoV-2 or any other endogenous or exogenous threat. In COVID-19, the corporal propagation of SARS-CoV-2 involves an exacerbated oxidative activity and therefore the overproduction of great amounts of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The endorsement of melatonin as a possible protective agent against the current pandemic is indirectly supported by its widely demonstrated beneficial role in preclinical and clinical studies of other respiratory diseases. In addition, focusing the therapeutic action on strengthening the host protection responses in critical phases of the infective cycle makes it likely that multi-tasking melatonin will provide multi-protection, maintaining its efficacy against the virus variants that are already emerging and will emerge as long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate among us.

Association of industrial work schedules with development of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and serum adipokine concentrations

Background

Association of work schedule in industrial workers with the progression of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and serum adipokine concentrations is incompletely explored.

Objective

To determine the association of work schedule with the progression of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and adipokine concentrations in industrial workers.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study design of industrial workers we compared metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and adipokines concentration between workers in the day shift (n = 52), rotational shift (n = 21), and night shift (n = 15). The international Diabetes Federation criteria were used to diagnose metabolic syndrome. We used a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Serum insulin, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Serum glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were monitored using Prietest clinical chemistry reagents.

Results

The proportional difference in metabolic syndrome (0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036-0.587, P = 0.026), median difference of leptin (0.61, 95% CI 0.186-1.034, P = 0.005), and leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR; 0.45, 95% CI 0.235-0.665, P < 0.001) was significantly higher, and serum adiponectin was lower (-2.00, 95% CI -4.197 to 0.197, P = 0.07) in the night-shift workers compared with that of day-shift workers. Among rotational-shift workers, the proportional difference between metabolic syndrome (0.14, 95% CI -0.098 to 0.378, P = 0.25), median difference of leptin (0.25, 95% CI -0.124 to 0.624, P = 0.19), and LAR (0.09, 95% CI -0.099 to 0.279, P = 0.35) was higher, and serum adiponectin concentration was lower (-0.73, 95% CI -2.660 to 1.208, P = 0.46) compared with that of day-shift workers; however, the altered differences were not significant. We observed a higher proportion of difference in HOMA-IR in shift workers (night and rotation) than in day-shift workers.

Conclusion

Night-shift workers are vulnerable to a higher risk of metabolic syndrome, HOMA-IR, and adipokine changes.