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Session Schedule

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0:00:00
Introduction

0:01:40
Multi-omics of simulated night shift work: Evidence of widespread metabolic desynchrony
Hans Van Dongen (United States)

Presentation not available: Real-world rotating shift schedules and internal circadian disruption of metabolism
Diane Boivin (Canada)

0:21:10
Eating at night and its circadian impacts on metabolism
Siobhan Banks (Australia)

0:39:25
Meal timing and the regulation of glucose metabolism and immunity
Leonie Heilbronn (Australia)

0:59:30
Question and answer

Summary

This symposium will discuss the rapidly building evidence of widespread internal desynchrony and disruption of metabolism associated with night shift schedules. The sleep/wake and work schedules of those who work in 24/7 operations are in chronic or intermittent circadian misalignment. Recent laboratory studies have shown that as little as three days on a night shift schedule can result in profound internal desynchrony. Metabolomics, proteomics and lipidomics have revealed widespread desynchrony between central drivers of rhythmicity orchestrated by the circadian biological clock versus peripheral drivers of rhythmicity associated with the gut and liver. Such internal desynchrony and metabolic disruptions have also been observed in real-world rotating shift workers. Not surprisingly, shift workers face a wide range of long-term health risks, including metabolic disorders. Evidence is mounting that time-restricted eating can mitigate at least some of these risks. While the underlying mechanisms are just starting to be understood, there is evidence of a potential role of circadian misalignment of the gut microbiome during shift work, which may be remediated by nighttime food restriction. Here we propose a symposium for World Sleep 2025 with a diverse panel of speakers, pursing research at the cutting edge of this important and exciting area of scientific discovery. Combining basic and clinical research, the speakers will present novel evidence of the multiple pathways involved in internal desynchrony due to working and sleeping at the wrong times of day, and the consequences thereof for metabolism and long-term health risks. Dr. Hans Van Dongen (Washington State University, USA) will discuss mounting evidence of widespread internal desynchrony as a consequence of night shift schedules, including multi-omics data and substantial shifts in glucose rhythms, as measured under constant routine in humans. Dr. Diane B. Boivin (McGill University, Canada) will share unique metabolomics data from police officers engaged in rotating shift schedules, which demonstrate that internal desynchrony and its metabolic consequences is seen in real-world shift operations. Dr. Siobhan Banks (University of South Australia) will show data on the impact of time-restricted feeding, with or without nighttime snacking, on glucose metabolism while on a night shift schedule. Finally, Dr. Leonie Heilbronn (University of Adelaide) will examine the effects of meal timing on the regulation of glucose metabolism and immunity.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this CME activity, participants will be able to:
• Recognize the profound internal desynchrony that results from circadian misalignment due to shift work
• Assess how the shifted timing of food intake when working nights can lead to a disturbed profile of metabolite rhythms as a probable factor contributing to internal desynchrony and associated disruptions in metabolism
• Describe the functional roles of food intake schedules and gut microbiome-host interactions in the adverse metabolic consequences of night shift work
• Recognize the clinical potential of manipulating both timing and quantity of food intake as intervention to counter the adverse metabolic consequences of circadian misalignment