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Shift work as an oxidative stressor.
Akbar Sharifian1, Saeed Farahani, Parvin Pasalar
1Department of Occupational Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sharifians@sina.tums.ac.ir
Journal of Circadian Rhythms
|December 29, 2005
Summary
Night shift work reduces total plasma antioxidant capacity, increasing oxidative stress. Aging and obesity exacerbate these negative effects in shift workers, highlighting health risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
Background:
- Shift work is linked to increased prevalence of certain medical disorders.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the development of these shift-work-related health issues.
- This study investigates the impact of night shifts on antioxidant capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of night-shift work on total plasma antioxidant capacity.
- To assess the role of oxidative stress in shift-work-related disorders.
- To examine the influence of age and weight on antioxidant capacity in shift workers.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 44 rotational shift workers after day and night shifts.
- Measured total plasma antioxidant capacity using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay.
- Assessed the impact of participant age and body weight.
Main Results:
- Total plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced after night shifts compared to day shifts (mean reduction: 105.8 micromol/L).
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between age, weight, and total plasma antioxidant capacity.
- Increased age and body weight were associated with decreased antioxidant capacity.
Conclusions:
- Night shift work acts as an oxidative stressor, potentially inducing medical disorders.
- Aging and obesity increase shift workers' susceptibility to the detrimental effects of oxidative stress.
- These findings underscore the importance of managing oxidative stress in shift work environments.