title: Neuroendocrine, immune and oxidative stress in shift workers.
abstract: Shift work is commonly associated with disturbed life rhythms, resulting in chronic exposure to circadian desynchronization and sleep restriction. Epidemiological data have shown that shift workers are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. In this review, we will explore how observed increases in neuroendocrine stress, non-specific immune responses and pro-oxidative status could act as biological mediators for these damaging health risks in shift workers. To explain these risks, compelling evidence from laboratory studies links circadian misalignment but also sleep restriction to disruptions in the neuroendocrine, immune and oxidative stress systems. Assessment of neuroendocrine, oxidative and immune stress in the shift worker population is still a limited and novel field, which may have considerable clinical relevance. Finally, we will consider the potential benefits of a countermeasure, such as napping, in minimizing the neuroendocrine and immune stress and cardiovascular risk imposed by shift work.
authors.affiliation: Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu de Paris, Centre du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France; Consensus Group on Shift Work: « Recommandations pour la surveillance médico-professionnelle des travailleurs postés et/ou de nuit », Paris, France. Electronic address: brice.faraut@htd.aphp.fr.
authors.forename: Brice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faraut
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bayon
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Léger
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Circadian desynchronization; Immunity; Nap countermeasure; Neuroendocrine stress; Oxidative stress; Shift work; Sleep restriction