HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

Electronic Letters to:

HIGHLIGHTED TOPICS: Karine Spiegel, Kristen Knutson, Rachel Leproult, Esra Tasali, and Eve Van Cauter Sleep loss: a novel risk factor for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes J Appl Physiol 2005; 99: 2008-2019 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

eLetters: Submit a response to this article

Electronic letters published:

Chronic jet lag and metabolic syndrome

Devesh V Oberoi, Aditya Mungee MBBS, India . Harmeen Goraya, MBBS, India   (10 July 2009)

Chronic jet lag and metabolic syndrome 10 July 2009
Devesh V Oberoi, MBBS Former Summer Research Fellow, Jahaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Aditya Mungee MBBS, India . Harmeen Goraya, MBBS, India Send letter to journal: Re: Chronic jet lag and metabolic syndrome devesh16_in{at}yahoo.co.in Devesh V Oberoi, et al.	Chronic jet lag and metabolic syndrome The influence of sleep limitation i.e. chronic sleep loss or sleep disorders on weight gain, excessive food intake and decreased energy expenditure, insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, have previously been demonstrated (1,2). The disruption of body rhythms ( the circadian rhythms that occur with a periodicity of around 24 hours and control behavior, physiology and metabolism ) due to altered sleep wake cycles may lead to abrupt changes in sleeping patterns, hormone regulation and temperature variations. It has been shown that such disturbances in circadian physiology produces a completely inverse pattern of cortisol secretion with low levels at the wake period and high levels towards the end of the day close to sleep period. (3) This may further influence the release of insulin and the plasma insulin levels leading to inappropriate sporadic periods of hyperinsulinemia or hypoinsulinemia and impaired glucose tolerance. Further, the combined effects of increased insulin and glucose levels may create a prothrombotic state, besides being pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic (4). The persistent increase in the high glucose levels may alone predispose the individuals to atherosclerosis and acute vascular events. The effect may be presumed to be more pronounced in people travelling extensively across different time zones and are exposed to jet lag. The altered plasma levels of cortisol or insulin at different times of the day may not coincide with periods of increased or decreased blood glucose levels following a meal or fasting respectively, as occurs in individuals’ home environment with accustomed periodicity of sleep and food intake. The diverse variety of food available locally across different continents ranging from a high protein diet in the western world to a carbohydrate rich food in Asian countries may also add to atypical patterns of plasma glucose levels that may not be matched by immediate post-prandial release of insulin due to altered periodicity of hormone inhibition or secretion. The risk of developing altered metabolism could be even more distinct in individuals who are at high risk for type-2 diabetes. Further experimental and epidemiological studies in this direction will help us design and validate the degree of amendments necessary in new geophysical environments. This could be of vital significance for the safeguarding chronic jet-lagged travelers, flying frequently across varied time zones against the possible development of metabolic syndrome. Few recommended deterrent measures for travelers for protection against such pathological states could be ample amount of sleep, programmed work out and apposite lifestyle and food habits. References: 1.Spiegel K, Knutson K, Leproult R, Tasali E, and Eve Van Cauter E Sleep loss: a novel risk factor for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. J Appl Physiol. 2005; 99(5):2008-19. 2.Knutson KL, Spiegel K, Penev P, Van Cauter E. The metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation. Sleep Med Rev. 2007; 11(3): 163–178. 3.Scheer FA, Hilton MF, Mantzoros CS, Shea SA. Adverse metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of circadian misalignment. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 ;106(11):4453-8. 4.Vaidyula V R, Rao K A, Mozzoli M, Homko C, Cheung P and Boden G. Effects of Hyperglycemia and Hyperinsulinemia on Circulating Tissue Factor Procoagulant Activity and Platelet CD40 Ligand. Diabetes. 2006; 55( 1 ) 202-208 Devesh V Oberoi, M.B.B.S . Former Research Fellow,Chronobiology laboratory, Jahaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Aditya Mungee M.B.B.S, India . Harmeen Goraya, M.B.B.S, India