Night shift work and abnormal liver function: is non-alcohol fatty liver a necessary mediator?
Feng Wang1,2, Liuzhuo Zhang3, Suyang Wu1
1JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|December 6, 2018
Summary
Night shift work increases the risk of abnormal liver function, especially in individuals without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFL). This suggests a direct impact of circadian disruption on liver health, rather than NAFL acting as a mediator.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Hepatology
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Night shift work is increasingly linked to adverse health outcomes, including potential liver dysfunction.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) has been hypothesized as a key mediator in the relationship between night shift work and liver injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between night shift work and elevated alanine transaminase (e-ALT) levels in male workers.
- To examine the potential mediating role of NAFL in this association.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 4740 male workers underwent interviews for lifestyle and work history, and liver sonography to identify NAFL.
- Serum ALT levels were measured, with e-ALT defined as ALT >40 U/L.
- Logistic regression and mediation analyses were performed to assess risk and mediation effects.
Main Results:
- Night shift workers showed an increased risk of e-ALT (OR, 1.19).
- The risk of e-ALT significantly increased with years of night shift work in workers without NAFL, but not in those with NAFL.
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease did not show a significant mediation effect.
Conclusions:
- Night shift work is positively associated with abnormal liver function, particularly in individuals without NAFL.
- Circadian disruption from shift work likely has a direct effect on liver dysfunction, independent of NAFL mediation.
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