Light Pollution as a New Risk Factor for Human Breast and Prostate Cancers

Haim, Abraham; Portnov, Boris A.

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6220-6

Cited by 95 publications

(91 citation statements)

References 296 publications

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“…Dim night-time light can also impair learning and memory, affect stress hormone levels, compromise immune function and cause depressive-like behaviour in rodents (Bedrosian et al 2011(Bedrosian et al , 2013Fonken et al 2012). In humans, depression, obesity and cancer risk relate to light pollution and associated disruptions of the circadian system (Fonken and Nelson 2011;Kronfeld-Schor and Einat 2012;Haim and Portnov 2013).…”

Section: Effects Of Artificial Light On Physiological Homeostasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Dark Matters: The Effects of Artificial Lighting on Bats

Rowse

Lewanzik

Stone

et al. 2015

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

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While artificial lighting is a major component of global change, its biological impacts have only recently been recognised. Artificial lighting attracts and repels animals in taxon-specific ways and affects physiological processes. Being nocturnal, bats are likely to be strongly affected by artificial lighting. Moreover, many species of bats are insectivorous, and insects are also strongly influenced by lighting. Lighting technologies are changing rapidly, with the use of light-emitting diode (LED) lamps increasing. Impacts on bats and their prey depend on the light spectra produced by street lights; ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths attract more insects and consequently insectivorous bats. Bat responses to lighting are species-specific and reflect differences in flight morphology and performance; fast-flying aerial hawking species frequently feed around street lights, whereas relatively slowflying bats that forage in more confined spaces are often light-averse. Both highpressure sodium and LED lights reduce commuting activity by clutter-tolerant bats of the genera Myotis and Rhinolophus, and these bats still avoided LED lights when dimmed. Light-induced reductions in the activity of frugivorous bats may affect ecosystem services by reducing dispersal of the seeds of pioneer plants and hence reforestation. Rapid changes in street lighting offer the potential to explore

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Section: Effects Of Artificial Light On Physiological Homeostasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Dark Matters: The Effects of Artificial Lighting on Bats

Rowse

Lewanzik

Stone

et al. 2015

Bats in the Anthropocene: Conservation of Bats in a Changing World

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“…Artificial light at night (ALAN) exposures have been reported to be associated with serious ecological consequences and health risks including cancer [2][3][4]. Recently, the impact of light pollution as a new environmental risk factor and its relation to human breast and prostate cancers was discussed [5]. Breast cancer incidence has been increasing worldwide for the past few decades, being higher in developed countries than in undeveloped countries, suggesting that changes in lifestyle could account for the increase in breast cancer rates [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Artificial light at night: melatonin as a mediator between the environment and epigenome

Haim

Zubidat

2015

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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106

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The adverse effects of excessive use of artificial light at night (ALAN) are becoming increasingly evident and associated with several health problems including cancer. Results of epidemiological studies revealed that the increase in breast cancer incidents co-distribute with ALAN worldwide. There is compiling evidence that suggests that melatonin suppression is linked to ALAN-induced cancer risks, but the specific genetic mechanism linking environmental exposure and the development of disease is not well known. Here we propose a possible genetic link between environmental exposure and tumorigenesis processes. We discuss evidence related to the relationship between epigenetic remodelling and oncogene expression. In breast cancer, enhanced global hypomethylation is expected in oncogenes, whereas in tumour suppressor genes local hypermethylation is recognized in the promoter CpG chains. A putative mechanism of action involving epigenetic modifications mediated by pineal melatonin is discussed in relation to cancer prevalence. Taking into account that ALAN-induced epigenetic modifications are reversible, early detection of cancer development is of great significance in the treatment of the disease. Therefore, new biomarkers for circadian disruption need to be developed to prevent ALAN damage.

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“…However, when it intrudes into the natural dark phase, it may lead to the disruption of circadian organization and desynchronization in timing of the different biological rhythms, which is associated with various health risks and the disturbance of ecological systems (Bird et al, 2004;Navara and Nelson, 2007;Haim and Portnov, 2013). Although the effects of night-time light exposure on circadian organization are widespread, few studies have investigated the effects of varying intensities of daytime lighting on photoentrainment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of photophase illuminance on locomotor activity, urine production and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in nocturnal and diurnal South African rodents

Merwe

Oosthuizen

Ganswindt

et al. 2017

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Effects of photophase illuminance (1, 10, 100 and 330 lx of white incandescent lighting) on daily rhythms of locomotor activity, urine production and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-SMT; 10 versus 330 lx) were studied in nocturnal Namaqua rock mice (Micaelamys namaquensis) and diurnal four-striped field mice (Rhabdomys pumilio). Micaelamys namaquensis was consistently nocturnal (∼90-94% nocturnal activity), whereas considerable individual variation marked activity profiles in R. pumilio, but with activity mostly pronounced around twilight (∼55-66% diurnal activity). The amplitude of daily activity was distinctly affected by light intensity and this effect was greater in M. namaquensis than in R. pumilio. Only M. namaquensis displayed a distinctive daily rhythm of urine production, which correlated with its activity rhythm. Mean daily urine production appeared to be attenuated under dim photophase conditions, particularly in R. pumilio. The results suggest that the circadian regulation of locomotor activity and urine production possesses separate sensitivity thresholds to photophase illuminance. Micaelamys namaquensis expressed a significant daily 6-SMT rhythm that peaked during the late night, but the rhythm was attenuated by the brighter photophase cycle (330 lx). Rhabdomys pumilio appeared to express an ultradian 6-SMT rhythm under both lighting regimes with comparable mean daily 6-SMT values, but with different temporal patterns. It is widely known that a natural dark phase which is undisturbed by artificial light is essential for optimal circadian function. Here, we show that light intensity during the photophase also plays a key role in maintaining circadian rhythms in rodents, irrespective of their temporal activity rhythm.

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Light Pollution as a New Risk Factor for Human Breast and Prostate Cancers

Cited by 95 publications

References 296 publications

Dark Matters: The Effects of Artificial Lighting on Bats

Dark Matters: The Effects of Artificial Lighting on Bats

Artificial light at night: melatonin as a mediator between the environment and epigenome

Effects of photophase illuminance on locomotor activity, urine production and urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in nocturnal and diurnal South African rodents

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