Review
Environmental Sciences
Mateusz Bozejko, Ignacy Tarski, Malgorzata Malodobra-Mazur
Summary: We conducted a non-systematic review of epidemiological studies published since 2009 on the potential link between exposure to outdoor artificial light at night (O-ALAN) and disease occurrence in humans. After analyzing 51 identified studies, we found that while the majority of papers reported a link between O-ALAN exposure and various disorders, the strength of the evidence varied and several important factors were omitted. Therefore, further epidemiological studies that address these omissions are needed to establish a more conclusive association.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zining Luo, Zhenglong Liu, Hongjie Chen, Ying Liu, Nenghuan Tang, Haoran Li
Summary: This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of light at night (LAN) exposure on breast cancer risk. The results show that exposure to LAN is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in the Asian population.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huihui Wang, Xiaohong Ma, Zhenfan Yu, Naifan Hu, Yurun Du, Xiaoxue He, Degong Pan, Lining Pu, Xue Zhang, Xian Sun, Jiangping Li
Summary: Nearly a quarter of the world's land is polluted by artificial light, which has been shown to disrupt metabolism. A study in Ningxia, China examined the association between outdoor artificial light at night (ALAN) and metabolic disease. The results indicated that 26.80% of metabolic disease cases in Ningxia can be attributed to outdoor ALAN, with men, especially those aged 46-59 years, being more susceptible. Policymakers should implement measures and facilities, such as universal access to indoor blackout curtains, and specifically target men with protective measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Asuka Ishihara, Insung Park, Yoko Suzuki, Katsuhiko Yajima, Huiyun Cui, Masashi Yanagisawa, Takeshi Sano, Junji Kido, Kumpei Tokuyama
Summary: The study found that exposure to polychromatic light at night, especially using OLED, can reduce energy expenditure and core body temperature during sleep. Additionally, fat oxidation significantly increases after exposure to OLED compared to LED, with a positive correlation with melatonin levels.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Choon Ming Ng, Satvinder Kaur, Ee Yin Kok, Wan Ling Chew, Masaki Takahashi, Shigenobu Shibata
Summary: This study found an association between sleep quality, light exposure at night, and psychological wellbeing in pregnant women. Poor sleep quality and higher light exposure at night were associated with greater stress and depression symptoms in the 3rd trimester. Future research could investigate the impact of reducing artificial light at night on improving sleep quality and psychological health of pregnant women.
Article
Microbiology
Sahana Kuthyar, Aspen T. Reese
Summary: This hypothesis proposes that different interactions with animals play a role in shaping the human microbiome globally, impacting human health. Despite the known importance of human-animal interfaces on health disparities, more research is needed to fully understand this critical aspect of biology.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yu-Xiang Xu, Jiang-Hui Zhang, Fang-Biao Tao, Ying Sun
Summary: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies examined the association between nighttime light exposure and sleep problems. The findings suggest that higher levels of light exposure at night are associated with an increased prevalence of sleep problems. Indoor light exposure has a stronger association with sleep problems compared to outdoor light exposure. Additionally, there is a significant effect of light intensity on sleep problems, with higher intensity leading to a higher prevalence of sleep problems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob R. Bumgarner, William H. Walker, Dominic D. Quintana, Rhett C. White, Alexandra A. Richmond, O. Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez, Jennifer A. Liu, Darius D. Becker-Krail, James C. Walton, James W. Simpkins, A. Courtney DeVries, Randy J. Nelson
Summary: The structure and function of the cardiovascular system are affected by circadian rhythms, and disruption of these rhythms can lead to health issues. A study found that exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) for four nights resulted in decreased vascular density and impaired network structure in the hippocampal vasculature of mice. This highlights the importance of mitigating ALAN for the health of cerebrovascular networks and overall well-being.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yue Wu, Si-Yu Gui, Yuan Fang, Mei Zhang, Cheng-Yang Hu
Summary: This study found a significant association between LAN exposure and breast cancer risk, particularly in postmenopausal women and cohort studies. However, this association was not significant in premenopausal women and case-control studies. Further high-quality prospective studies are needed to advance understanding in this area, especially in low-to middle-income countries with improved assessment of LAN exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katarzyna Glombik, Magdalena Kukla-Bartoszek, Katarzyna Curzytek, Jan Detka, Agnieszka Basta-Kaim, Boguslawa Budziszewska
Summary: Depression has a long-term negative impact on quality of life, and it is important to understand the pathophysiological changes underlying this disorder. Dysfunctional energy metabolism plays a crucial role in the onset of depression, and further research on bioenergetic alterations is needed. Synthetic glucocorticoid-dexamethasone treatment during the prenatal period leads to brain energetic changes and depressive-like behavior, including a reduction in oxidative phosphorylation, impairment of the Krebs cycle, and weakened connection with glycolysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Giovanna Muscogiuri, Eleonora Poggiogalle, Luigi Barrea, Maria G. Tarsitano, Francesco Garifalos, Alessia Liccardi, Gabriella Pugliese, Silvia Savastano, Annamaria Colao
Summary: Exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) is associated with health risks, especially obesity and cancer. Suppression of melatonin secretion, circadian rhythm disruption, gut dysbiosis, and inflammation are among the mechanisms linking ALAN exposure to these diseases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu-xiang Xu, Yan Huang, Yi Zhou, Yang Yu, Yu-hui Wan, Fang-biao Tao, Ying Sun
Summary: The study found a significant association between bedroom nighttime light exposure and allostatic load (AL) as well as separate AL biomarkers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biology
Robin Heinen, Oriana Sanchez-Mahecha, T. Martijn Bezemer, Davide M. Dominoni, Claudia Knappe, Johannes Kollmann, Anton Kopatsch, Zoe A. Pfeiffer, Michael Schloter, Sarah Sturm, Joerg-Peter Schnitzler, A. Corina Vlot, Wolfgang W. Weisser
Summary: Artificial light at night (ALAN) has negative effects on plant-insect interactions, as shown in experiments with barley and English grain aphids. ALAN significantly reduces aphid colony growth and maturation, and affects the expression of defense-associated genes. Interestingly, part-night ALAN has a stronger negative impact on aphid colony growth compared to full-night ALAN.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Le-Bing Wang, Yan-Chen Gong, Qiu-Ling Fang, Xin-Xin Cui, Shyamali C. Dharmage, Bin Jalaludin, Luke D. Knibbs, Michael S. Bloom, Yuming Guo, Li-Zi Lin, Xiao-Wen Zeng, Bo-Yi Yang, Gongbo Chen, Ru-Qing Liu, Yunjiang Yu, Li-Wen Hu, Guang-Hui Dong
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep disorders and outdoor artificial light exposure in children. The findings revealed that children living in areas with high levels of outdoor artificial light are more likely to experience sleep disorders, particularly among those younger than 12 years old. The results suggest that effective control of outdoor artificial light may be crucial for improving children's sleep quality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zuzana Dzirbikova, Katarina Stebelova, Katarina Kovacova, Monika Okuliarova, Lucia Olexova, Michal Zeman
Summary: Artificial light at night (ALAN) during pregnancy can disrupt hormonal and biochemical rhythms and interfere with the normal development of offspring.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Pawan Kumar Jha, Hanan Bouaouda, Andries Kalsbeek, Etienne Challet
Summary: The master clock in the SCN uses environmental light to synchronize circadian rhythms, while behavioral arousal disrupts the circadian system and alters molecular functions of pacemaker cells, affecting nocturnal and diurnal animals differently. Further research is needed to understand circadian impairments associated with shift work and trans-meridian travel in both nocturnal and diurnal animal models.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina V. Milanova, Felipe Correa-da-Silva, Andries Kalsbeek, Chun-Xia Yi
Summary: Obesity is associated with neuronal loss and microglial activation in the hypothalamus. In addition to the hypothalamus, microglial cells may also be activated in other brain regions, potentially leading to cognitive decline and dementia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Fernando Cazarez-Marquez, Jitske Eliveld, Wayne I. G. R. Ritsema, Ewout Foppen, Yvonne Bossenbroek, Simone Pelizzari, Valerie Simonneaux, Andries Kalsbeek
Summary: Kisspeptin and RFRP-3 in the hypothalamus regulate reproduction, food intake, glucose, and energy metabolism. Kisspeptin increases plasma testosterone levels and lipid catabolism, while RFRP-3 increases plasma testosterone levels without affecting food intake or energy metabolism.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Rianne Van Der Spek, Ewout Foppen, Eric Fliers, Susanne La Fleur, Andries Kalsbeek
Summary: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are serious global health concerns, affecting the central brain clock function in obese-type 2 diabetic patients. This study found that despite SCN lesioning leading to reduced rhythmicity in clock genes, metabolic genes in white adipose tissue lost their daily rhythm, except for NAMPT, which was less affected by the central brain clock disruption.
CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Laura L. Koekkoek, Tess Kool, Leslie Eggels, Luna L. van der Gun, Khalid Lamuadni, Margo Slomp, Charlene Diepenbroek, Mireillle J. Serlie, Andries Kalsbeek, Susanne E. la Fleur
Summary: Opioids have effects on blood glucose levels, with μ-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens potentially playing a role in glucose metabolism regulation. This suggests that nucleus accumbens μ-opioid receptors could be a therapeutic target for enhancing counter-regulatory responses.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiao-Lan Wang, Sander Kooijman, Yuanqing Gao, Laura Tzeplaeff, Brigitte Cosquer, Irina Milanova, Samantha E. C. Wolff, Nikita Korpel, Marie-France Champy, Benoit Petit-Demouliere, Isabelle Goncalves Da Cruz, Tania Sorg-Guss, Patrick C. N. Rensen, Jean-Christophe Cassel, Andries Kalsbeek, Anne-Laurence Boutillier, Chun-Xia Yi
Summary: The study found that microglial Bmal1 plays a crucial role in metabolic stress and memory formation, as knocking it down led to enhanced phagocytosis activity and positive effects on neuronal activity in the brain, helping to combat obesity and improve memory test performance.
MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
L. L. Koekkoek, A. Masis-Vargas, T. Kool, L. Eggels, L. L. van der Gun, K. Lamuadni, M. Slomp, C. Diepenbroek, A. Kalsbeek, S. E. la Fleur
Summary: The study confirmed that sucrose drinking stimulates fat intake, likely through the release of endogenous opioids. This effect not only promotes fat intake but also reduces sensitivity to certain drugs.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Lamis Saad, Jean Zwiller, Andries Kalsbeek, Patrick Anglard
Summary: Studies suggest a possible connection between circadian rhythms and addiction, but the functional mechanism behind this interaction remains unclear and requires further investigation. The circadian timing system and addiction may be linked through epigenetic regulation, presenting a new avenue for research.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lamis Saad, Andries Kalsbeek, Jean Zwiller, Patrick Anglard
Summary: The study reveals the interaction between the circadian system and the reward system in modulating reward and memory, showing distinct effects of cocaine and sucrose on gene expression and DNA methylation processes in dopamine projection areas interconnected with the reward system. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing selective therapeutic tools for compulsive behaviors.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anil Joshi, Tess Kool, Charlene Diepenbroek, Laura L. Koekkoek, Leslie Eggels, Andries Kalsbeek, Joram D. Mul, Michel Barrot, Susanne E. la Fleur
Summary: Our study evaluates the effects of D1 or D2 receptor inhibition in the lateral shell of the nucleus accumbens on fcHFHS diet consumption. The results show that infusion of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390 promotes dietary fat intake in male Sprague Dawley rats during 2 hours after infusion, while the D2 receptor antagonist raclopride does not have this effect. Anatomical analysis reveals that the rostral region of the lateral shell of the nucleus accumbens is sensitive to D1 receptor inhibition effects on fat consumption.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paul de Goede, Rob C. Wust, Bauke Schomakers, Simone Denis, Frederic M. Vaz, Mia L. Pras-Raves, Michel Weeghel, Chun-Xia Yi, Andries Kalsbeek, Riekelt H. Houtkooper
Summary: Shift-work disrupts circadian timing of glucose homeostasis, impairs muscle mitochondrial metabolism, and causes metabolic inflexibility, increasing the risk of developing T2DM.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Monika Okuliarova, Zuzana Dzirbikova, Valentina Sophia Rumanova, Ewout Foppen, Andries Kalsbeek, Michal Zeman
Summary: This study investigates the underlying mechanisms of disruption of the circadian timing system caused by low-intensity artificial light at night (ALAN). The findings show that ALAN suppresses the molecular clockwork in the SCN and disturbs the rhythmic expression of clock genes in hypothalamic nuclei, leading to disrupted hormonal output pathways and altered feeding and drinking behaviors.
NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Eleni Angelopoulou, Andries Kalsbeek, Valerie Simonneaux
Summary: This study found that the number of RFRP-3 positive neurons decreases during old age, and the daily changes in their innervation by AVP and VIP are abolished. This age-associated reduced activity of the inhibitory RFRP-3 system could be implicated in the elevated LH secretion observed during reproductive senescence.
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Rebeca Mendez-Hernandez, Valentina S. Rumanova, Mara A. Guzman-Ruiz, Ewout Foppen, Rodrigo Moreno-Morton, Gabriela Hurtado-Alvarado, Carolina Escobar, Andries Kalsbeek, Ruud M. Buijs
Summary: Eating during the rest phase is associated with metabolic syndrome due to a conflict between food consumption and the circadian system. Light exposure during day-feeding in nocturnal rodents may contribute to metabolic impairments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Irina Milanova, Nikita L. Korpel, Felipe Correa-da-Silva, Eline Berends, Samar Osman, Susanne E. la Fleur, Eric Fliers, Andries Kalsbeek, Chun-Xia Yi
Summary: The study found that microglial insulin signaling plays a role in the control of systemic energy balance and this function is sex-dependent. Lack of microglial InsR can lead to increased plasma insulin levels and insulin resistance in female obese mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)