Sleep, circadian rhythms, and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Over the last 60 years we have seen a significant rise in metabolic disease, especially type 2 diabetes. In the same period, the emergence of electricity and artificial lighting has allowed our behavioural cycles to be independent of external patterns of sunlight.This has led to a corresponding increase in sleep deprivation, estimated to be about 1 hour per night, as well as circadian misalignment (living against the clock). Evidence from experimental animals as well as controlled human subjects have shown that sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment can both directly drive metabolic dysfunction, causing diabetes. However, the precise mechanism by which these processes contribute to insulin resistance remains poorly understood. In this article, we will review the new literature in the field and propose a model attempting to reconcile the experimental observations made. We believe our model will serve as a useful point of reference to understand how metabolic dysfunction can emerge from sleep or circadian rhythm disruptions, providing new directions for research and therapy.

Effect of Physical Activity, Smoking, and Sleep on Telomere Length: A Systematic Review of Observational and Intervention Studies

“…In the selected studies on TL, PA was the most studied lifestyle factor, followed by smoking and sleep. In general, being physical active, not smoking and having good sleep quality are associated with a reduced risk of morbimortality for the main chronic diseases [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 ]. There is a challenge in searching for the best biomarker of aging and despite these limitations and the advantage of measuring a combination of biomarkers instead of only one [ 148 , 149 ], TL is the most extensively studied biomarker of age-related diseases [ 7 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ].…”

Recommendations for daytime, evening, and nighttime indoor light exposure to best support physiology, sleep, and wakefulness in healthy adults

“…There is certainly evidence that increasing melanopic light levels in the work environment can improve subjective and/or objectively measured alertness and performance in shift workers [ 135 – 138 ]. Important benefits such as these do, however, need to be weighed in the context of potential disruptions to circadian alignment and chronic effects on health [ 8 – 14 ]. Addressing these important questions remains a key area for future investigation and shift work–related consensus guidance on best practice.…”

“…Industrialisation and urbanisation have progressively and dramatically altered individuals’ light exposures, resulting in less light, including natural light, during the daytime and less darkness during the night, due to spending more time indoors where electric lighting provides the dominant source of illumination. Substantial evidence indicates that such altered light exposure patterns (and associated circadian/sleep disruption) contribute to negative impacts on health, sleep, and productivity, ranging from acute increases in accident risk to increased incidence of cardiometabolic disorders and forms of cancer (reviewed in [ 8 – 14 ]). Therefore, there is an urgent need for evidence-led recommendations to help inform the design and application of light emission technologies and human light exposures.…”

Circadian clock disruptions link oxidative stress and systemic inflammation to metabolic syndrome in obstructive sleep apnea patients

“…Recent studies have identified the potential effect of OSA on the disruption of these biological clocks ( Burioka et al, 2008 ; Hou et al, 2019 ; Yang et al, 2019 ; Gabryelska et al, 2020 ; Gaspar et al, 2021 ). Furthermore, the misalignment of these components is intimately associated with metabolic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome ( Yun et al, 2002 ; Ando et al, 2011 ; Chen et al, 2015 ; Chang et al, 2018 ; Nakashima et al, 2018 ; Noshiro et al, 2018 ; Yu et al, 2019 ; Noshiro et al, 2020 ; Parameswaran and Ray, 2022 ). Based on these clues, it is conceivable that OSA-induced disruption of circadian clocks may contribute to its combined metabolic diseases.…”