Association of shift work with oxidative stress and alteration of fasting plasma glucose level in Chinese adults

Abstract Objective This study aimed to assess the association of shift work with blood glucose and the mediating role of oxidative stress. Methods Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and urinary concentrations of oxidative stress biomarkers (8‐hydroxy‐2'‐deoxyguanosine [8‐OHdG], 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal‐mercapturic acid, and 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F 2α [8‐isoPGF 2α ]) were measured among 831 participants. Results Positive dose‐response relationships among shift work duration, FPG ( p trend < 0.001), and abnormal glucose regulation (AGR; p trend = 0.035) were found. Compared with participants without shift work, three‐shift work was associated with a higher level of FPG (percentage change: 6.49%, 95% CI: 4.21%–8.83%) and a higher prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (odds ratio: 1.886, 95% CI: 1.114–3.192) and AGR (odds ratio: 1.929, 95% CI: 1.197–3.111). A dose‐response relationship was found between shift work duration and 8‐OHdG ( p trend = 0.002) and 8‐isoPGF 2α ( p trend = 0.019). Urinary 8‐OHdG and 8‐isoPGF 2α partially mediated the association between shift work duration and FPG levels and the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and AGR, with mediating proportions ranging from 4.77% to 20.76%. Conclusions These findings suggest that shift work is positively associated with blood glucose, and the association is partially mediated by oxidative stress.