Insulin resistance and levels of cardiovascular biomarkers in night-shift workers

This study aimed to investigate the potential association between night-shift work and insulin resistance as well as potential serum molecular biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) progression; specifically, highly sensitive-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and oxytocin as well as homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] index. In a cross-sectional design, demographic data, clinical parameters, and working patterns data were documented for daytime (n = 59) and night-shift (n = 69) working employees in Jordan University Hospital. The biomarkers serum levels were measured by enzymatic assay procedure and compared between both groups. The correlation between the duration, and the number of night shift was also evaluated. Compared with daytime workers, night-shift workers displayed higher levels of insulin resistance index [HOMA IR] = 6.90 (5.80–8.15) versus 2.76 (1.80–5.72), p < 0.0001; higher serum levels of TSP-1 (ng/mL) = 1835 (1656–1985) versus 984.0 (839.0–1000), p < 0.0001; and PAI-1 (ng/mL) = 377 (312–450) versus 208 (166–249), p < 0.0001; and lower levels of oxytocin (pg/mL) = 500 (329–917) versus 717 (523–950), p < 0.0001; respectively. Incomparably, MMP-9 (ng/mL) = 651 (398–888) versus 456 (296–662), p > 0.05 and hs-CRP (mg/mL) = 2.8 (1.6–6.2) versus 3.2 (1.7–4.7), p = 0.069 did not prove inter-shift substantial differences. In the present study, night-shift work was shown to be associated with higher levels of CVD progression biomarkers and insulin resistance. Suggestively close monitoring of night-shift workers clinical status and lifestyle is warranted.