We know that working at night is increasing the risk of diabetes and also increases the risk of breast cancer in women and prostate cancer at men’s.
A new study, published in the medical journal Cell, and conducted by the Department of Immunology at the Weizmann Institute of Sciences in Israel, shows that working shifted schedules also disrupts our gut microbiome. And that this disturbance is far from inconsequential since it would be responsible for obesity.
The good health of bacteria depends on the internal clock
In our body, microbes reproduce and evolve according to factors that are still difficult to apprehend, often according to balances maintained by the diversity of the flora, as long as it is in good health. However, researchers led by Professor Eran Elinav, believe that this “good health” could be affected by a disturbed circadian rhythm.
“It’s a surprising discovery because microbes live deep in our gut, so they’re never directly exposed to cycles of light and dark. That’s why it’s amazing to see that they are affected by disturbances in our internal clock “explains the doctor.
For this study, Prof. Elinav and his team subjected mice to a jet lag of 8 hours. Mice are nocturnal animals. For the experiment, they stayed awake during the day. “As in humans, the microbiome of mice performs a maintenance and repair function during the phases of sleep and growth and of boosting energy during the waking phases. However, we found in this experiment that jet lag completely disrupted the functioning of bacteria in the gut. They became much less effective in tasks such as cell growth, DNA repair or cell detoxification. As a result, the mice became very much more prone to obesity and diabetes “.
The intestinal flora of frequent travelers disrupted
To continue the experiment, the researchers then implanted bacteria from the mouse intestines into sterile, germ-free mice. And the latter then developed increased risk of obesity.
This study is, of course, more difficult to reproduce in humans. But to complete it, Prof. Elinav studied the intestinal flora of two people who travel regularly between the United States and Israel, which induces an 8-hour time difference. He then found that the microbes in their gut had changed in composition, similarly, causing glucose intolerance.
“Fortunately, their gut microbiome has returned to normal two weeks after the last trip. a constant disturbance of circadian rhythms “concludes the doctor.
