Night-Time Shift Work and Related Stress Responses: A Study on Security Guards

Abstract

Work-related stress can induce a break in homeostasis by placing demands on the body that are met by the activation of two different systems, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. Night-shift work alters the body’s exposure to the natural light–dark schedule and disrupts circadian (daily) rhythms. The greatest effect of night-shift work is the disruption of circadian rhythms. The impact that these disruptions may have on the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer, is unknown. This study aims to discover the relationship among three different job activities of security guards and their stress-related responses by evaluating salivary cortisol levels and blood pressure. Methods: Ninety security guards, including night-time workers and night-time and daily-shift workers, were recruited for this study. Each security guard provided two saliva samples before and after three scheduled time points: (i) at 22:00, (ii) at 06:30, and (iii) at 14:00. Results: The results of the study showed a significant alteration in cortisol levels. Night-time shift cortisol levels significantly increased before and after the work shifts. A physiological prevalence of the vagal tone on the cardiocirculatory activity was found during night-shift work. Conclusions: This study indicates that cortisol levels and blood pressure are sensitive markers of biological responses to severe work stress. Shift-change consequences may occur at the end of the night shift when there is a significant increase in the cortisol level and a significant variation in cardiovascular parameters.

Optimization of an oral mucosa in vitro model based on cell line TR146

“…[36][37][38] Addition of hydrocortisone alone at a physiological concentration to DMEM media (supplemented with 10% FCS, 1% P/S) improved the barrier upon airlift cultivation significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. 39,40 As further supplement, we tested retinoic acid (RA) in DMEM without serum as RA is often described to enhance the barrier. 41 However, RA did not show any enhancement in our model (supplementary Figure S2).…”

“… 36 - 38 Addition of hydrocortisone alone at a physiological concentration to DMEM media (supplemented with 10% FCS, 1% P/S) improved the barrier upon airlift cultivation significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. 39 , 40 …”

Cardiorenal metabolic biomarkers link early life stress to risk of non-communicable diseases and adverse mental health outcomes

“…While prenatal and early postnatal stress each can dampen HPA axis responses in the offspring 17 , synergistic effects of both may potentially support stress coping mechanisms 17 . Moreover, circadian disorganization has been associated with an increased risk of cardiorenal diseases, metabolic syndrome, and anxiety-like behaviours in both human 18 and animal studies 19 , 20 , mediated by altered rhythms of gene expression and endocrine factors 21 . Notably, distinct organ systems exhibit transient critical periods of heightened plasticity and increased vulnerability to environmental insults during infancy 22 .…”

SARS-CoV-2 and the Risk Assessment Document in Italian Work; Specific or Generic Risk Even If Aggravated?

“…All this must also be considered in those professional contexts that subject workers to particular conditions, such as those that expose them to particularly intense psychophysical stress, involving shift work, or night work, that recently considered by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) [ 31 ], or that contemplate other contexts to be considered particular such as those in which social distancing is not feasible, see health technicians, professional team sports, etc. [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”