Alterations of the cortisol quiescent period after experimental night work with enforced adaptation by bright light and its relation to morningness

Abstract

A previous study where the delay of the circadian system was induced by bright light that was adjusted to the individual melatonin onset revealed concomitant alterations of the cortisol quiescent period that correlated inversely with morningness. This meta-analysis focuses on the question whether this applies to experimental shift work with fixed light schedules. The analysis bases on data from three laboratory studies where healthy young men [18 evening-, 20 neither-, 11 morning types (MT)] performed three consecutive day shifts and then three consecutive night shifts. Phase assessment procedures were performed after every three shifts to ascertain the diurnal melatonin profile for the quantification of the phase shift and the diurnal cortisol profile for the determination of the cortisol quiescent period. Work was done in 150-200 lx but phase delays were promoted by bright light (1,500-2,000 lx) either by 4-h pulses in the first part of the night or by continuous exposure during the whole night shifts. These different light scenarios caused similar phase delays. Morningness was inversely related to the phase delay and to the alteration of the cortisol quiescent period. The latter became shorter in morning and longer in evening types. Thus, MT are disadvantaged, even if treated with bright light. This suggests that morning-oriented career shift workers might have a higher health risk. These results need to be replicated by directed studies and verified by epidemiological studies.