Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact

The document "Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its Health Impact" discusses the negative health implications of shift work, particularly night shifts, on the human circadian system. Shift work can cause a misalignment between the body's internal circadian clocks and the external environment, leading to a state of desynchronization. This can disrupt the production of hormones like melatonin and cortisol, and affect the expression of clock genes in cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells, hair follicle cells, and oral mucosa cells. The document also highlights that women, who make up about half of shift workers, are more likely to have a circadian period shorter than 24 hours, which may contribute to reduced tolerance to shift work and greater risk for work injury. Furthermore, shift work can lead to sleep disorders, metabolic disorders, and even increased risk of certain types of cancer. The document concludes that more research is needed to fully understand the impact of shift work on the human circadian system and to develop strategies to mitigate these effects.