Adverse Metabolic Consequences in Humans of Prolonged Sleep Restriction Combined with Circadian Disruption

Abstract

Epidemiological studies link short sleep and circadian disruption with risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. We tested the hypotheses that prolonged sleep restriction with concurrent circadian disruption, as can occur with shift work, impairs glucose regulation and metabolism. Healthy adults spent >5 weeks in controlled laboratory conditions including: sleep extension (baseline), 3-week sleep restriction (5.6 h sleep/24 h) combined with circadian disruption (recurring 28-h ‘days’), and 9-day recovery sleep with circadian re-entrainment. Prolonged sleep restriction with concurrent circadian disruption significantly decreased resting metabolic rate, and increased postprandial plasma via inadequate pancreatic beta cell responsivity; these normalized with 9 days of recovery sleep and stable circadian reentrainment. Thus, in humans, prolonged sleep restriction with concurrent circadian disruption alters metabolism and could increase risk of obesity and diabetes.

Chronomedicine and type 2 diabetes: shining some light on melatonin

“…Strikingly, only 4-5 days of 'misalignment' was required to produce a significant increase in 2 h postprandial glucose, with almost half of the participants being categorised by the authors as prediabetic during misalignment (plasma glucose >8.06 mmol/l) relative to baseline (aligned) [21]. These effects appear to be independent of sleep loss or diminished sleep quality, suggesting that disruption of the timing system alone can lead to metabolic dysfunction [19,20]. In support of this notion, the probability of a genetic polymorphism in the PER3 genetic locus was greater among individuals with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that altered activity of the PER3 protein, and thus the molecular clock, may be an independent risk factor for metabolic disease [93].…”

“…Disturbances of the sleep/wake cycle, reduced sleep duration/quality and altered sleep architecture can impair these rhythms, likely contributing to the development of metabolic disease [14][15][16][17][18]. Likewise, dissociation of activity/feeding patterns from internal rhythms of hormone release and metabolic function, known as 'environmental circadian disruption' or 'circadian misalignment', can also have negative impacts on metabolism [19,20]. Circadian disruption is commonly associated with reduced sleep quality but can occur independent of sleep loss, resulting in metabolic deficits such as hyperinsulinaemia and impaired glucose tolerance [21].…”

Effects of insufficient sleep on circadian rhythmicity and expression amplitude of the human blood transcriptome

“…These data are important for understanding the mechanisms of how sleep deprivation can lead to circadian disruption and misalignment, and consequent negative effects on health and well-being in general, and with respect to immune function and metabolism in particular. Interactions between sleep restriction and circadian disruption have previously been reported to adversely affect metabolic processes (45).…”

Risk factors, health behaviors, and injury among adults employed in the transportation, warehousing, and utilities super sector

“…Sieber et al [2012] report that, collectively, 90% of long-haul truckers are overweight or obese; the obesity figures are particularly alarming-90% among drivers 20-24, 64% in drivers 25-64, and 47% in the oldest drivers. Buxton et al [2012] suggests that prolonged sleep restriction with concurrent circadian disruption-as might be experienced by long-haul drivers-alters metabolism and could increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Wiegand et al [2009] offer strong support that the U.S. Department of Transportation's recommendation that obese drivers be tested for obstructive sleep apnea is valid.…”