People who experience repeated bouts of circadian misalignment, such as shift workers, are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to daytime workers. However, the mechanism(s) by which shift work and associated circadian misalignment increase CVD and T2D risk are unknown. This project will examine whether elevated plasma lipids are a mechanism by which circadian misalignment impairs vascular function, insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis and muscle lipid accumulation, which could be targeted to prevent and treat cardiometabolic disease in people who chronically experience circadian misalignment, which includes more than 20% of the US workforce.
18-65 years old
worked the night shift for the last 1 year or more,
habitually sleep 5-9 hours per 24h period (night shift workers typically experience chronic insufficient sleep),
body mass index (BMI) of 20.0 - 35.0 kg/m2 and weight stable (plus or minus 5% of current body weight in the last 6 months); sedentary to mild physical activity level (less than 2 days of planned exercise per week);
existing diagnosed sleep or eating disorder (e.g. obstructive sleep apnea [OSA], periodic limb movements of sleep [PLMS], narcolepsy, travel more than 1 time zone in 3 weeks before the study; anorexia nervosa, more than one food allergy to maintain flexibility in diet planning);
following any TRE (time-restricted eating) or intermittent fasting plan in the last year;
following any special diet plan, like paleo, keto, gluten-free or vegan, that can affect the primary lipid outcome measures in the last 6 months; any clinically significant surgical condition within the last year;
diagnosed diabetes or cardiovascular disease
Colorado State University
Lead sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Collaborator
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Collaborator