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Development of Countermeasures Against Adverse Metabolic Effects of Shift Work

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Circadian Dysregulation
Interventions
Behavioral: Meal schedule
Registration Number
NCT02291952
Lead Sponsor
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Brief Summary

The goal of this application is to determine whether changing the timing of food intake prevents the adverse metabolic effects of circadian misalignment.

Detailed Description

Shift work is associated with circadian misalignment and an increased risk for the development diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. This research will determine whether changing the feeding schedule can prevent metabolic alterations that can lead to the abovementioned disorders. This research will provide mechanistic insight and may provide a novel therapeutic approach against the increased risk for diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease among shift workers.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • BMI between 18.5 and 29.9 kgm-2
  • Healthy adults with regular sleep-wake timing
  • Non-smokers
  • Completion of medical and psychological screening tests
  • Able to spend 14 consecutive days in the sleep laboratory
Exclusion Criteria
  • BMI <18.5 or > 29.9 kgm-2
  • History of neurological or psychiatric disorder
  • History of sleep disorder or regular use of sleep-promoting medication
  • Current prescription, herbal, or over-the-counter medication use
  • Traveling across 2 or more time zones within past 3 months
  • Donating blood within past 8 weeks
  • Worked night or rotating shift work within past 3 years
  • Hearing impairment
  • Drug or alcohol dependency

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
ControlMeal scheduleDuring Forced Desynchrony sleep and wake, as well as meals, will occur at different circadian phases.
ExperimentalMeal scheduleDuring Forced Desynchrony sleep and wake will occur at different circadian phases, while meals are restricted to the biological day.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in plasma leptin levels across sleep/wake cycleDuring circadian alignment (Day 7) and circadian misalignment (Day 10-11)

Frequent blood samples

Change in circadian profile of plasma leptinDuring constant routine before forced desynchrony (Days 3-4) and constant routine after forced desynchrony (Days 12-13)

Frequent blood samples

Change in plasma insulin levels after standardized test mealDuring circadian alignment (Day 7) and circadian misalignment (Day 10-11)

Frequent blood samples before and after standardized meals

Change in circadian profile of plasma insulin levelsDuring circadian alignment (Day 7) and circadian misalignment (Day 10-11)

Frequent blood samples

Change in glucose toleranceDuring circadian alignment (Day 7) and circadian misalignment (Day 10-11)

Frequent blood samples before and after standardized meals

Change in circadian profile of plasma glucose levelsDuring circadian alignment (Day 7) and circadian misalignment (Day 10-11)

Frequent blood samples

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes circadian rhythm in resting energy expenditureDuring constant routine before forced desynchrony (Days 3-4) and constant routine after forced desynchrony (Days 12-13)

Indirect calorimetry

o Change in circadian phase markers, such as from core body temperature, melatonin, and cortisolCore temperature and frequent blood samples

Core temperature sensor throughout protocol, days 1-14. Frequent blood samples during constant routine before forced desynchrony (Days 3-4) and constant routine after forced desynchrony (Days 12-13)

Changes in sleepsleep periods following day 1, days 6-7 and days 10-11

Polysomnography

Change in hunger and appetite, mood, and cognitive performanceTests taken throughout the protocol, days 1-14

Subjective hunger ratings and cognitive tests performed via computer interface

Changes in microbiota, gene expression, epigenetic or proteomic markerssamples taken during forced desychrony (days 7-11) and the constant routine protocols (days 3-4 and 11-13)

Frequent blood samples and saliva samples

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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