Violation of circadian rhythms in humans contributes to the development of cancer.
Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – March 15, 2021 – Lifestyle
Changes in circadian rhythms caused by night shifts affect gene expression, causing DNA damage. These mutations often cause the development of malignant cells.
In the pages of the Journal of Pineal Research, American researchers published the results of scientific work, which helped to establish the relationship between work at night and cancer. To conduct the study, scientists from the sleep laboratory of the University of Washington, invited 14 volunteers who had no health problems at the beginning of the experiment. One group of participants worked only in the day shift, and the other – in the night shift. Further, to study biological rhythms independent of external influences, volunteers did not have to sleep during the day in the presence of constantly turned-on lighting.
“Our data helped establish a change in the normal circadian rhythms of genes involved in cancer signaling pathways,” the researchers said. The study of leukocytes showed a greater number of damaged DNA in participants from the second group, and the analysis of ionizing radiation of leukocytes helped to establish their increased vulnerability to DNA damage by radiation.
“Based on the results of the study, it can be unequivocally stated that working at night has a negative effect on the expression time of cancer-related genes, reducing the efficiency of the body’s DNA repair process,” said project author Jason McDermott.
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Source: Ukrgate