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Review
. 2025 Jul 25:13:1539679.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1539679. eCollection 2025.

Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions

Yuye Zhu  1 , Jing Mi  1
Affiliations
Review

Unraveling the complex relationship between night shift work and diabetes: exploring mechanisms and potential interventions

Yuye Zhu et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

It is a topic of increasing concern that the prevalence of night shift work in our 24/7 society is linked to diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this paper is to thoroughly examine existing research on the intricate connection between diabetes and night shift work, with a specific focus on underlying factors including insufficient sleep, disruptions in circadian rhythms, and changes in melatonin levels. Research has shown that the act of working overnight is linked to an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), despite the fact that the exact reasons for this connection remain unclear. Insufficient sleep and disruption of the natural sleep-wake cycle, which are common consequences of working night shifts, can result in a reduced response to insulin and dysfunctional processing of glucose in the body. Moreover, changes in the production of melatonin, a hormone closely associated with the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, may have a significant impact. Although working the night shift presents numerous difficulties, interventions targeting the enhancement of sleep quality, adjustment of circadian rhythms, and increase in melatonin levels show potential in reducing the risk of developing T2DM. Further studies must persist in exploring these mechanisms and implementing successful tactics to safeguard the wellbeing of shift workers in our current societal context.

Keywords: circadian rhythms; melatonin; night shift work; sleep deprivation; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Flowchart illustrating the relationship between circadian misalignment and increased diabetes risk. Arrows show connections from circadian misalignment to poor insulin sensitivity, decreased glucose tolerance, and increased carbohydrate intake. Decreased glucose tolerance leads to increased diabetes risk. Reduced pancreatic function is linked to decreased glucose tolerance and increased carbohydrate intake, contributing to obesity and further diabetes risk.
Figure 1
Physiological impacts of disruptions in circadian rhythms on the risk of developing diabetes.
Flowchart illustrating the relationship between pinealocytes, melatonin, and hyperglycemia. Melatonin affects impaired islet β-cells and insulin signaling, leading to changes in insulin levels and exhaustion of β-cells. This results in hyperglycemia. Arrows indicate direction and effect of these processes.
Figure 2
Influences of melatonin on the regulation of insulin and glucose levels in the body.
Flowchart illustrating how sleep deprivation contributes to type 2 diabetes. Sleep deprivation influences low-grade inflammation, sympathetic activity, and evening cortisol. These factors affect insulin secretion and lipolysis, leading to insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes. Arrows indicate direction and relationships, with red arrows for increase and a red arrow pointing down for decrease.
Figure 3
The mechanisms that explain how sleep restriction affects metabolic processes in the body.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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