Changes in intestinal parameters and their association with dietary patterns in rotational shift workers

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Nutritional Science
• Occupational Health
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Rotating shift work is known to disrupt circadian rhythms, potentially contributing to metabolic disorders.
• The impact of circadian disruption on intestinal parameters like epithelial permeability and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in intestinal integrity, fecal SCFA levels, gut microbiota, and nutritional intake in rotational shift workers.
• To explore the relationship between circadian rhythm disruption, gut parameters, and dietary patterns.

Main Methods:

• Study involved ten male rotational shift workers (25-40 years old) assessed during day and night shifts.
• Data collected included dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and fecal/blood samples.
• Analysis focused on intestinal permeability, SCFA levels, and gut microbiota composition.

Main Results:

• No significant changes were observed in dietary consumption, anthropometrics, blood chemistry, or intestinal permeability between day and night shifts.
• Acetic, propionic, and total SCFAs correlated with intestinal permeability during the night shift.
• Specific dietary components (dark green vegetables, beans, peas) were associated with increased isobutyric acid and total SCFAs.
• Gut microbiota composition shifted, with increases in genera like *Blautia* and *Bifidobacterium* during the night shift.
• Circadian disruption effects on microbiota were more pronounced with high sugar intake.

Conclusions:

• Rotational shift work induces changes in gut microbiota, particularly influenced by dietary patterns.
• In shift workers with circadian disruption, SCFA levels are associated with intestinal barrier integrity.
• Further research is needed to understand the interplay between SCFAs, gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and circadian disruption for developing targeted dietary interventions for gut health.